This project is part of our broader programme of work on ‘homelessness and temporary accommodation in Wales’.

In January 2026, the Wales Centre for Public Policy (WCPP) and the Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI), invited local authorities to submit expressions of interest for evidence support from WCPP and/or CHI. More information on this process can be found here: ‘Exploring how evidence can help address the temporary accommodation crisis’

Following a review of the submissions received, WCPP, Rhondda Cynon Taf Health Determinants Research Collaboration (RCT HDRC) and CHI launched a collaborative project to support Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council to find evidence-informed solutions to preventing and reducing homelessness.

It forms phase two of RCT HDRC’s work on preventative spend. More information on the HDRC can be found on RCT HDRC’s website.

The project aims to map spending on homelessness prevention in RCT, what impact this is having, and what available evidence exists to enhance preventative service delivery, including the potential for new interventions or new approaches.

To support RCT HDRC with this project, WCPP and CHI are providing evidence on the following research questions:

1. What effective interventions have local authorities implemented elsewhere to prevent homelessness in terms of:

a. maintaining, accessing and/or retaining suitable and secure housing

b. increasing the supply of affordable housing?; and

2. What are the social, economic and wellbeing impacts of homelessness, and how are these experienced by those affected?

We are also working with Flintshire and Ynys Môn to support their LAs to rapidly identify areas of their Councils’ homelessness system where change could make the biggest difference to outcomes for people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. Read more about this project here: https://wcpp.org.uk/project/preventing-homelessness-homelessness-what-works-evidence-sprint/