Rough sleeping is the most visible and dangerous form of homelessness. But many people struggle long before they reach the streets – and too often, support only becomes available once they are already in crisis.
PATH (Prevention, Advice and Transformation Hub) is The Passage’s new service designed to change that.
Working in partnership with
Working in partnership with Westminster City Council, PATH brings different homelessness services together into one simple, joined‑up system. Instead of navigating multiple agencies or waiting until someone is sleeping rough, PATH helps people get the right support as early as possible.
Through a single triage process and a more coordinated pathway, PATH aims to:
- Spot problems sooner and step in before someone loses their home
- Reduce delays and confusion by making support easier to access
- Close gaps in the system that allow situations to escalate
- Continue providing rapid help for anyone already sleeping rough
Our goal is simple: a fairer, faster and more preventative approach to homelessness – one that supports people with dignity at every stage.
Removing barriers before crisis hits
Too often, people can only access help once their situation becomes visible and dangerous. One major barrier is verification – the process that requires outreach teams to physically see someone sleeping rough before certain support or accommodation can be unlocked.
While this process helps make sure support goes to those who need it most, it can also cause delays, leaving people in unsafe situations for longer than they should.
PATH is designed to change this. By bringing together Outreach Teams and Westminster Housing Solutions into one joined‑up system, support no longer depends on navigating multiple services or waiting for things to get worse. Instead, needs can be identified earlier and people connected to the right help – whether they’re already on the streets or at risk of losing their home.
What happens when someone comes to PATH
PATH supports people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with referrals coming from outreach teams, housing services and community hubs.
Support may include:
- Support to prevent homelessness before it happens
- Help moving off the streets into safe accommodation
- Guidance through a housing application
- Help resolving benefits, tenancy or housing issues
- Reconnecting people to their local area for longer‑term support
PATH focuses on early action and joined‑up working, helping people move forward quickly and with the right support in place.
Leading change through collaboration
This transition will take time. It requires strong partnerships, shared ambition, and a willingness to challenge long-standing approaches.
The Passage is proud to be at the forefront of this shift, working with partners to prevent homelessness wherever possible, while continuing to respond quickly and practically when crisis occurs.