Frontline Network Conference 2026 | Living Road Side

An estimated 25,000 people in England were living roadside (MHCLG, 2019), including Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and a growing number of vehicle-dwelling families and individuals affected by housing shortages, poverty and crisis. With no lawful place to stop, they were statutorily homeless but were often overlooked in homelessness policy, guidance and service delivery. Consequently, many fell outside systems designed for fixed-address homelessness, with significant impacts on health, education, safeguarding and long-term outcomes. This session highlighted roadside living as a distinct form of homelessness requiring tailored responses rather than inclusion within existing categories. It examined policy gaps, the impact of repeated displacement, and examples of rights-based approaches adopted in some areas. The session aimed to help practitioners and decision-makers recognise roadside families as part of the homelessness system and respond in ways that improved health, stability and long-term outcomes. Speakers: Jonathan Jones, Development Team Support Manager, Friends, Family Travellers.