From risk to resilience - tackling homelessness in the workplace

Homelessness is often hidden in plain sight, and closer to the workplace than many of us realise. Jack Kidder, Responsible Business Manager at Henry Boot, reflects on our recent event with charity partner, Crisis and explains why the property sector must play a greater role in prevention, and how businesses can take practical steps to support those at risk.

A missed rent payment. A relationship breakdown. A sudden job loss. For thousands of people, that’s all it takes. In the UK, over 115,000 households are homeless, and the safety nets that should catch people are worn thin. The council housing backlog has reached 20 years - the longest on record.

And yet, for too many businesses, this remains a hidden issue - misunderstood, stigmatised, or pushed into the realm of “someone else’s responsibility.”

But that’s no longer enough. Not for the people affected. And certainly not for the property sector, which has both the reach and the responsibility to lead.

In truth, homelessness is much closer than you think. It might be someone in your team staying in temporary accommodation. A colleague who’s sofa-surfing just to ensure they have somewhere to sleep. A young person in your workforce living one payday from eviction. This is not just a distant crisis, it’s up close and personal and it can be silent, happening in and around our workplaces every day.

A business blind spot

Despite this proximity, many employers still don’t know how to respond. In fact, Crisis research shows that 42% of UK employers would consider terminating an employee if they learned that person was homeless. Yet 99% said they want to learn how to better support those affected.

This gap between fear and understanding, intention and action, is where real change can happen.

The property sector has a duty of care

As developers, builders, investors and planners, our sector plays a direct role in shaping not just infrastructure, but community and places. We have influence, resources, and an ability to act.

That’s why Henry Boot has been working in partnership with Crisis over the past two years - not simply to raise awareness, but to understand how homelessness can be prevented through business practices, not just charitable giving.

We’ve seen first-hand that tackling homelessness requires more than surface-level commitment. It demands structural change in how we hire, how we support, and how we engage with the communities around us.

From insight to action

Together, we’ve identified practical, achievable ways for businesses to help prevent homelessness and support people at risk:

• Mentoring at-risk individuals such as care leavers or those exiting temporary accommodation to help build networks and resilience.

• Reforming HR processes to spot signs of housing instability early and respond with support, not stigma.

• Creating employment pathways for those with lived experience of homelessness, supported by training and inclusive onboarding.

• Partnering with local authorities and charities to ensure people are connected to the right services when they need them.

• Making long-term strategic investments not just in CSR campaigns, but in prevention programmes, skills development, and fair employment.

These aren’t abstract ideals or token gestures - they’re meaningful, measurable actions that businesses can lead on. They reflect a mindset shift, from crisis response to prevention, and from individual responsibility to shared commitment.

It starts with recognising that the risk is often closer than we think, and that even the most stable employees can find themselves in vulnerable situations. But with the right awareness, systems and partnerships in place, employers can become a powerful line of defence.

We all have a part to play – and a responsibility. Whether it’s through fairer hiring, mentoring programmes, or deeper collaboration with local services, every organisation has an opportunity to support people before they fall into crisis, and to help build a more resilient, inclusive future.

The opportunity to prevent homelessness is right in front of us.