COVID-19 and Homelessness in Great Britain: Building Back Better?

This chapter examines the COVID-19 pandemic response to homelessness in Great Britain (GB), identifying areas of convergence and divergence between the GB nations over the course of the crisis. In particular, the chapter considers the extent to which both progressive and potentially problematic policies and practices emerged and are likely to endure. This critical reflection is informed by humanitarian and development literatures on crises recovery trajectories, employing a three-phase framework that distinguishes between urgent humanitarian relief, post-crisis stabilisation, and longer-term development. The chapter draws conclusions only a few months into the development phase of the pandemic recovery, yet there are strong indicators of the extent to which the GB nations are likely to ‘Build Back Better’.