Why the UK Homelessness Sector Needs Regulation, Funding, and Compassion
By Natasha Davies, CEO, Jimmy’s Cambridge | Published 19 November 2025
Jimmy’s Cambridge CEO Natasha Davies exposes rising hostility, chronic underfunding, and the urgent need for regulation and professional care in UK homelessness services.
Rising Hostility Towards People Experiencing Homelessness in the UK
Public hostility towards people experiencing homelessness in the UK is increasing rapidly—and in Cambridge, this problem is becoming especially severe. At Jimmy’s Cambridge, a homelessness charity supporting rough sleepers and vulnerable adults for over 30 years, we’ve received multiple emails from local businesses demanding action regarding people sleeping rough nearby.
One email bluntly stated: “Guys, you have to take some responsibility for this!” alongside a photo of a mattress and blankets tucked away down a city street. Another international company described homeless individuals as “serious safety risks” and even questioned whether someone was “running a marijuana farm” inside our building.
These messages reveal more than misunderstanding—they reflect a growing lack of compassion and confusion about what homelessness services actually do.
The Reality of Running a Homelessness Charity in Cambridge
When I became CEO of Jimmy’s Cambridge 18 months ago, I knew I was entering a challenging role in a severely underfunded homelessness sector in the UK. But nothing fully prepared me for the scale of the work.
Jimmy’s Cambridge provides 81 bed spaces, wrap-around support, and 24/7 care for some of the most vulnerable people in Cambridge. Yet across the UK, homelessness services are chronically underfunded, forcing charities like ours to fight constantly for survival.
In my first months, I applied for every grant and trust fund I could find simply to keep our doors open. Meanwhile, staff support people with complex trauma, addiction, mental health needs, and long-term rough sleeping—individuals who should be receiving adult social care, mental health treatment, or palliative care but are turned away.
This is not neglect by individuals—it is systemic neglect.
Why UK Homelessness Services Need Regulation and Professional Standards
One of the most pressing issues in the UK homelessness sector is the lack of regulation. Despite supporting people with some of the most complex needs in society, homelessness services are not required to meet:
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Minimum accommodation standards
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Professional training expectations
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Inspection and quality frameworks
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Safeguarding oversight
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Trauma-informed care requirements
Many charities rely heavily on volunteers. While volunteerism is vital, we would never allow a mental health ward, adult social care facility, or palliative care unit to operate without trained staff.
Regulation is finally emerging, largely in response to exploitative housing benefit claims by unregulated landlords. But the deeper issue is clear: vulnerable people deserve safety, dignity, and professional support—not “well-meaning guesswork.”
Professional standards, training, and accountability are essential when supporting people with trauma, addiction, mental illness, and complex care needs.
What High-Quality Homelessness Care Looks Like at Jimmy’s Cambridge
At Jimmy’s, we model the regulated, trauma-informed, person-centred care that homelessness services need nationwide:
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Safe, high-quality accommodation free from hazards, damp, and mould
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Qualified support staff receiving weekly training and professional development
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Values-led recruitment focusing on compassion, respect, and trauma awareness
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A commitment to dignity and humanity, not surveillance or judgment
The most meaningful part of my day is connecting with residents—people who are resilient, resourceful, and striving for stability. They are not stereotypes; they have histories, humor, aspirations, and immense strength.
Challenging Stigma and Changing the Conversation About Rough Sleeping
To address rising hostility towards rough sleepers, we must shift the public narrative:
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Homelessness is not a lifestyle choice.
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It is not a personal failure.
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It cannot be solved by pushing people out of sight.
With proper regulation, secure funding, and cross-sector partnerships with mental health and social care services, we can create safe, effective, and compassionate homelessness services.
As a community, we need to ask:
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What happens to the woman in the library when it closes?
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Where does the man go after someone gives him a coffee and walks away?
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Who is responsible when systems fail people repeatedly?
The answer is simple: we all are.
About Jimmy’s Cambridge
Jimmy’s Cambridge has supported people experiencing homelessness for over 30 years, providing safe accommodation, trauma-informed care, and professional support to help individuals rebuild their lives and achieve independence.
Learn more at www.jimmyscambridge.org.uk
If Natasha’s message resonates with you, please consider supporting Jimmy’s Cambridge. Every donation helps provide safe accommodation and professional care for people experiencing homelessness.
