Local Government Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Hackathon

On 26 to 27 November, along with three colleagues, I had the privilege of attending the Local Government Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Hackathon in Birmingham. It was a two-day event organised to bring together local authorities, housing professionals, and organisations using AI and data-driven solutions to tackle some of the biggest challenges around homelessness and rough sleeping.

The hackathon was built around problem statements designed to spark fresh ideas. We were split into mixed teams, combining expertise from councils, tech organisations, and housing charities. It was a really collaborative approach that led to a really effective way of exchanging ideas and perspectives.

Our team focused on rough sleeping and looked at how we could better understand the journey individuals take when they find themselves in this situation. By mapping these pathways, we aimed to spot opportunities for intervention and effective support. For example, we explored how previous patterns could help predict where someone might be on any given day. Our solution also gave outreach workers a way to plan the best route to see the most people on different days.

After two days of brainstorming and building, each team presented their ideas to a panel of judges. Two of us stepped out of our comfort zones and onto the (very large!) stage to deliver the presentation. Out of 14 teams, our solution was one of four to receive a special mention – so this was fantastic recognition of the creativity and effort from everyone involved.

I think events like this really show the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling what are very complex social issues. We were able to combine local knowledge with cutting-edge technology – ultimately working towards creating smarter, more compassionate systems to support the people who need it most.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to the organisers and everyone who took part for making this such a great experience. All three of us really enjoyed the event – although maybe not the daily commute! Our housing officer found it really useful to understand the challenges faced in other areas and how they compare to Tewkesbury Borough, while the tech enthusiasts among us loved trying out some of the new tools provided by AWS.

For me, the biggest takeaway was just how much can be achieved when different sectors come together with a shared goal. It was inspiring to see people from councils, charities, and tech companies all working side by side, each bringing something unique to the table. It reminded me that while technology can do incredible things, it’s the human insight and compassion behind it that really makes the difference. I left feeling optimistic – not just about the solutions we created, but about the potential for future collaboration to make a real impact on homelessness and rough sleeping.