How AI Could Rewrite Homelessness Law (23 September 2025)

Artificial intelligence is creeping into every corner of public decision-making, and homelessness law is no exception. What should be a safeguard for vulnerable people, the homelessness procedure risks being hollowed out by algorithms that prioritise efficiency over fairness. Instead of protecting rights, AI threatens to turn the homelessness process into an empty formality.

Local authorities are under growing pressure to manage homelessness caseloads efficiently. Against this backdrop, local authorities may look to artificial intelligence ("AI") to assist with homelessness applications and reviews. While such technology might promise efficiency, its use in this setting raises serious concerns.