Crisis has launched a major consultation to find out what’s needed to end the worst forms of homelessness once and for all.

Running for six months across England, Scotland and Wales, the consultation invites people working in or with experience of homelessness and those working in related fields such as housing, criminal justice, education, welfare and health to share their expertise and help shape a national plan for action.

The consultation - Have Your Say on a Plan to End Homelessness - forms part of Crisis’s 50th anniversary year and aims to identify the practical solutions needed to prevent and end homelessness in Britain, particularly focussing on those groups in most immediate need of support, specifically those who are sleeping rough; sofa surfing; in emergency shelters and women’s refuges; in hostels; squats; unsuitable non-residential buildings; or unsuitable temporary accommodation.

The resulting plan will be developed throughout the year and will be published in April 2018 with the aim of involving national and local government, charities and public services.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “This year Crisis marks its 50th anniversary, but this is no cause for celebration. The reason we’re still here, is because we’re still needed. Many thousands of people are sleeping on Britain’s streets, on sofas, in squats or unsuitable temporary accommodation.

“We want a future where we’re no longer needed, where no one has to suffer homelessness because they can’t find a place to live. That’s why over the course of this year we’re bringing together the people, evidence and resources to make this vision a reality. There is growing evidence from the UK and internationally that homelessness can be ended, and we want to make sure this is the generation to do it across Britain.

“We know we can’t do this alone, and the consultation launched today will be at the very heart of our plans. I hope that as many people as possible will share their expertise and help us shape a practical and achievable plan to end homelessness for good. If we all work together, in another 50 years’ time Crisis - and homelessness – will have been consigned to the history books.”

The Prime Minister and First Ministers of Scotland and Wales have already pledged to work with the charity as it builds its plan to end homelessness for good, while recent research shows that the large majority of MPs (77%) agree there should be a plan to end homelessness in Britain.