The Berkeley Foundation funded Crisis Skylight Brent to develop place-based work with the intention of increasing opportunities to end homelessness in Brent and to add to Crisis’ learning about how ending homelessness can be delivered locally.

Place-based work is ‘a long-term approach to identifying, understanding, and addressing social issues rooted in the experiences, expertise and relationships that exist within a recognised geographic area’ (see work from Renaisi on place-based change and approaches).

The place-based approach in Brent included the following activities:

• establishment of the Brent Homelessness Forum
• community of practice
• working groups
• task and finish groups
• research on homelessness and health
• homelessness awareness sessions
• development of Built for Zero
• opening of new Crisis Skylight Brent premises.

The report evaluates the place-based work in Brent and provides insight and learning in relation to strategic learning, systems change and individual change in the area.

• The evaluation makes the following recommendations for future place-based work in Brent and elsewhere:
• continue to build leadership capacity including key posts in both the public and voluntary sectors
• promote communication and engagement with the widest possible network of agencies
• maintain connections between local place-based work and national homelessness policy
• continue to be focused and realistic about what can be achieved through place-based work and the importance of continuously nurturing structures, partnerships and relationships.