Streetlife has been partnering with the Frontline Network since 2017. Every year, they run a survey of frontline workers across the UK, and the results for 2025 have now been released. We’d love to share them with you.
About the Frontline Network
The Frontline Network is funded by St Martin in the Fields, a UK-based homelessness charity. They provide essential support to frontline workers and individuals facing homelessness, helping them secure and maintain safe housing through grant funding and advocacy.
The charity has been running for many years and has helped hundreds of individuals find homes and recover from homelessness.
The Frontline Network was developed to support frontline teams with access to new funding, sharing of expertise and to find innovative ways to help those experiencing homelessness.
The network programme also provides training to frontline staff, enabling them to develop their knowledge, skills and experience of supporting people.
Streetlife’s support
We have facilitated the local Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde network since 2017. This network supports frontline workers with community, training and funding opportunities.
“Similar to many seaside towns, national figures indicate that Blackpool experiences a high level of homelessness. This local network was established to include the neighbouring boroughs of Fylde & Wyre due to their close proximity and need for collaboration across public, statutory and third sector services.” – St Martin in the Fields
The Frontline Survey
Each year, a survey is sent out to the Frontline Network. The survey aims to identify developments and patterns regarding homelessness and the housing sector. The results of the survey are then collated and used to influence policymakers and highlight any barriers in the sector.
Streetlife is proud to be a part of the survey, driving change for our region and supporting young people who are dealing with homelessness.
This year, the survey was completed by 1,320 frontline workers, which is incredible! The report highlights that most frontline staff (85%) have seen an increase in demand for their services over the last 12 months. Additionally, 80% of staff believe that the homelessness situation will get worse in the coming years. This highlights the need for us to make changes now to protect people in our local area.
The report reveals the following statistics.
- Rough sleeping has risen by 20%
- 4,667 people were estimated to be sleeping rough in England in Autumn 2024, compared to 3,898 the previous year
- 83,450 households in England qualified for homelessness support from their councils between January and March 2025
These figures reflect the additional pressure that has been placed on frontline workers in recent years. Many of whom have spoken out within the survey about how this affects them too.
What recommendations have been made?
The compelling results of the survey enable the charity to create a list of recommendations for decision-makers to assess. These can be used to shape future policies and practices within the sector.
- Improve the availability of appropriate and affordable accommodation
- Guarantee the essentials people need to move in and stay housed
- Reduce administrative burden in housing and support systems by ensuring application, referral and reporting processes are proportionate and accessible
- Provide long-term, sustainable funding that enables services to plan, retain skilled staff and focus on prevention, rather than being driven by short-term crisis response
- Improve coordination between housing, health and support services so that people with multiple needs do not fall through gaps created by fragmented systems
- Introduce a national pay and progression framework to ensure fair pay, job security and recognition of the skilled work undertaken, with the Real Living Wage as a minimum benchmark
- Develop clear training, accreditation and career pathways through a national qualifications framework that supports staff progression and establishes homelessness work as a recognised profession
- Guarantee minimum standards for wellbeing and safety, including protected time for reflective practice and access to appropriate trauma support
Streetlife is proud to be part of the Frontline Network, enabling us to help shape the future of the sector. To learn more about our work, please visit our website.
