Report: Enhancing modern slavery prevention within the homelessness sector in the UK

Modern slavery and homelessness are deeply connected – and the risks are growing. People without stable housing are more vulnerable to exploitation, coercion, and trafficking.

In partnership with homelessness charity The Passage, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC), undertook research examining how and where prevention of modern slavery within the homelessness sector is working and where it’s falling short. 

The report provides an overview of modern slavery prevention programmes within the homelessness sector across the UK. Examining programmes delivered by the third sector, strategies designed by local and combined authorities and the effectiveness of current legislative measures, good practice and areas for further development.

The results reveals a stark and deeply concerning link: a lack of stable housing is not just a consequence of exploitation; it is often a driver of it, placing individuals at risk of being exploited in the first place.  It highlights the urgent need for a prevention-focused strategy to ensure that survivors of modern slavery do not fall into the hands of traffickers.

Drawing on testimony from survivors and frontline professionals across all four UK nations, the report reviewed 14 UK-based prevention initiatives across local authorities and the voluntary sector and found clear gaps in current approaches:

Key findings

• Homelessness is a major risk factor: Over 40% of survivors supported by The Passage were homeless at the time they were exploited.
• Prevention is too often reactive: Most current systems intervene after someone is trafficked – rather than tackling the vulnerabilities that make exploitation possible.
• Training gaps leave survivors unprotected: Housing professionals and homelessness teams often lack the knowledge or tools to spot modern slavery and respond effectively.
• Survivors want to be part of the solution: People with lived experience say education, housing, and involvement in service design are crucial to reducing risk and building trust
• Collaboration is essential: Joined-up action between local authorities, charities, healthcare, and law enforcement is key to stopping exploitation before it begins.

It is crucial that any policy development places survivors’ voices at its heart, and this research project has done just that; ensuring that recommendations are grounded, effective and meaningful. This report emphasises the necessity and importance of co[1]production, as individuals with lived experience of trafficking and homelessness offer unique insights that can significantly enhance prevention programmes.

A truly collaborative approach was taken in producing this report, and we are extremely grateful to those who provided their expertise and insight, including co-producing the set of recommendations. By working with individuals with lived experience of modern slavery and sector professionals, and by bringing together representation from all the UK devolved government administrations, the report has formulated nine practical and actionable recommendations.

The report also highlights the crucial role of collective action in enhancing prevention efforts. Cross-sector collaboration at local, regional, and national levels is essential to stop exploitation before it occurs and emphasises the importance of enhancing the prevention of modern slavery and homelessness through improved multi-agency collaboration at both national and local levels.

We achieve so much more when we work together rather than in isolation and this is true for government too. While the Home Office Action Plan on modern slavery is a step forward, it lacks a cross-departmental approach. It is indeed encouraging to see government beginning to explore taking a cross-departmental approach to preventing and addressing homelessness. However, we urgently need a comprehensive Modern Slavery Strategy that unites all government departments to effectively tackle modern slavery.

The pain and trauma of the survivors of modern slavery surely demands nothing less.

You can read the full report here.