Crisis calls for more employers to sign up after celebrating the initiative’s one-year anniversary

Leading businesses have emphasised the importance of a scheme to support people facing homelessness more than one year on from its launch.

Businesses including Lloyds Banking Group, Hays recruitment agency and St George PLC have signed the Homelessness Covenant – a set of pledges to support people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness in the workplace. With the support of such organisations, 1.2 million employees across Britain are now covered by their employer’s commitments.

Since signing the Covenant, several employers have reported that colleagues have come forward to say that they are currently experiencing homelessness. Businesses are looking at their employment and recruitment practices and making changes. The Covenant has also facilitated contact between signatories and supported one young person into work with one of the companies.

Crisis is now urging more businesses to sign up to improve their understanding of homelessness and more proactively support employees who may be facing it. Forty-six employers are currently signees, with more anticipated to sign up soon.

The Covenant was developed by Crisis in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the then Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).

Figures show that from January – March 2024 almost a quarter (23%) of households owed support from their council for homelessness in England were in work. Yet, according to Crisis, homelessness is an under-represented and often misunderstood element of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work for employers. Furthermore, employer attitudes towards homelessness are often concerning. Research from Crisis in 2021 showed that over two fifths (42%) of employers said it was likely their organisation would seek to terminate an employee’s contract if they were homeless.

By signing up to the Covenant, employers can develop their understanding of homelessness, and better identify and support their employees who may be at risk of, or are currently experiencing, homelessness. Employers also pledge to provide employment and training opportunities for people at risk of homelessness, adopt fairer recruitment practices, and help to end homelessness in their communities through fundraising, raising awareness, partnerships and volunteering.

In the Covenant’s second year, Crisis will be looking to make sure it provides a forum for employers to share experiences and best practice, and to add more leading UK businesses to improve awareness around homelessness and enhance the growing network.

Karen Tighe, Head of Community Engagement, Lloyds Banking Group, said: “Since signing up to the Homelessness Covenant we’ve made important progress in supporting our colleagues who are at risk of homelessness and providing training to all of our colleagues to help them understand the causes of homelessness and how to support those experiencing it.

“Together with Crisis, we are working to end homelessness, and we encourage other organisations to join the Covenant and make sure everyone has access to a safe and secure home.”

Matt Downie, Crisis Chief Executive, said: “We’re really happy with the progress we’ve made in the first year, with some huge names in the business world signing up to the Covenant. It’s brilliant that over a million employees in the UK can now expect more support and understanding if they are experiencing or facing homelessness.

“With such strong foundations, we’re urging more businesses to join the network and work with others to tackle homelessness within and outside their organisations.”

Jamie Houlders, Project Flourish Lead at Hays, in collaboration with EveryYouth, said: “Becoming a signatory to the Homelessness Covenant has enabled Hays to learn collectively and collaborate with organisations who share a strong social ethos.

“This has also enabled us to pilot and share best practice from ‘Project Flourish’, where we make a positive impact to the employability of young people who may not have had the same opportunities as others. I would urge other organisations to sign up to the Covenant and get involved so we can make a greater social impact across the UK.”

Katy Wright, Director, Big Issue Recruit, said: “I was honoured to speak at the first anniversary of the Homelessness Covenant, an initiative that is more crucial than ever in helping those facing homelessness overcome barriers to employment and build sustainable futures.

“The challenges many people face when trying to access stable work can be overwhelming. I shared a story of one individual who, despite being employed, found himself riding buses at night because he had nowhere else to go. It was only through a holistic, collaborative approach—where employers, job coaches, and service providers worked together—that we were able to help him secure both housing and stability in his role.

“Partnerships like the Homelessness Covenant are proving that when we come together with courage, collaboration, and commitment, we can help people thrive—not just survive. Thank you to Crisis, DWP, DLUC and all the partners for making this possible. Let's keep pushing forward.”

Jonathan Brookes, Head of Responsible Business, St.George plc, said: “Becoming a signatory of the Crisis Homelessness Covenant has positively impacted both employees and wider stakeholders. The structured support, including an employer's toolkit and free recruitment assistance, has enabled efficient implementation.

“Homelessness, exacerbated by the housing crisis, affects a broad spectrum of people. To address this issue, we need a collective effort. Join us on this pathway to fostering inclusive employment practices and tackling homelessness together.”

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor

The Homelessness Covenant, developed by Crisis and the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and the former Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities (now the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG)), is a pledge by employers to prevent and end homelessness through inclusive and supportive employment practices.

The Homelessness Covenant has three key pledges:

• Provide employment and training opportunities for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Adopt fairer employment and recruitment policies and practices to support people affected by homelessness.
• Help end homelessness in local communities through fundraising, raising awareness, partnerships and volunteering.

For more information contact homelessness.covenant@crisis.org.uk.