New government-commissioned research maps full scale of homelessness workforce for first time

Just under a third of staff had previously worked in the health and social care sector, while a quarter reported that they had lived experience of homelessness, according to the data.

In 2025, of the 50,937-strong workforce, 34,519 were working for voluntary, community and faith sector (VCFS) organisations and local authority (LA) homelessness services, while 16,417 were volunteers.

There were an estimated 3,708 vacant posts and the estimated overall vacancy rate in the sector was 7%.

The mapping exercise, which included surveys conducted with both organisations and individuals, also covered the workforce’s experiences, revealing “high satisfaction” and “high stress”.

Homeless Link said the data shows the sector is “values-driven with committed staff”, with three-quarters of staff reporting “the ability to have a meaningful impact” as a benefit of their work, while 70% of staff experience job satisfaction.

However, the data also showed that staff are facing “multiple challenges closely tied to the nature of the work and systemic constraints”, according to Homeless Link.

“The top three challenges reported were the complexity of clients’ needs (42%), high workloads (42%) and funding uncertainty (31%),” the charity said. 

Homeless Link also found that the average salary for LA and VCFS frontline workers is £29,217, well below the UK median salary of £37,430.

The report said: “This presents challenges in both recruitment and retention, but also demonstrates some of the longer-term financial challenges facing the sector, particularly with an increased National Minimum Wage which is likely to impact an increasing number of roles within the sector as it rises.”

Homeless Link also mapped the demographic profile of the workforce, revealing that 64% is female.

The research suggested there are “challenges with equitable progression” among people from Black or Black British backgrounds, who make up 22% of frontline workers but only 7% of senior leaders.

Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: “With homelessness at unacceptably high levels and increasingly complex, ensuring we have an ample and skilled workforce in place to provide effective support will be crucial to the success of the government’s Plan to End Homelessness.

“This important workforce-mapping research provides the wealth of evidence needed to inform the National Workforce Programme, revealing the true scale, profile and experiences of the sector.”

Alison McGovern, homelessness minister, said: “We are deeply grateful to the staff and volunteers who support people experiencing homelessness every day. 

“This research, led by Homeless Link, shines a light on an incredibly committed and compassionate workforce, many bringing professional expertise and lived experience to the role. 

“We owe it to them and to the people they help, to fix this crisis and ensure they receive the support they need and that’s exactly what we’re doing through our upcoming National Workforce Programme.”

The new workforce programme aims to equip frontline teams with essential training and expert advice, and provide skills development for people working in local councils and the wider sector.

“It will be a comprehensive national programme of capacity-building support, advisory services, training and skills development, including launching a range of new accredited qualifications (Level 3 to Level 7 postgraduate) to meet growing demands,” the homelessness strategy said.