GLASGOW and Edinburgh have been named as two of the three bases for a new initiative to tackle homelessness through evidence-based solutions.

To be based in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London, the Centre for Homelessness Impact is set to launch in the spring after the charity Crisis and the Glasgow Homelessness Network (GHN) successfully secured funding from a philanthropist and backing from the Scottish and UK governments.

The new centre will analyse the most effective ways to prevent and tackle homelessness. It will help policy-makers, commissioners and front-line practitioners build evidence of effective practises, and support them to make effective use of resources.

The partners said yesterday: “In all its work, the centre will strive to make evidence accessible – through training, support for innovation, and interactive tools.”

Dr Ligia Teixeira, former head of research and evaluation at Crisis, will become centre director while Margaret-Ann Brunjes of GHN takes the role of chair.

The initial programme of work for the centre will include creating an evidence map and “what works” guide to steer investment in homelessness services towards activities with the greatest impact.

The centre team will work closely with strategic partners to deliver this work, including the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence, the Campbell Collaboration, Dartington Service Design Lab, Heriot-Watt University, the Faculty for Inclusion Health, the Wales Centre for Public Affairs and the Alliance for Useful Evidence.