This document provides background on the decline of the statutory homelessness system in England and the rise of localized homelessness prevention systems. It discusses how welfare and housing reforms have devolved greater powers to local governments, allowing for emerging divergence in local welfare-housing systems. The study aims to explore how localized homelessness responses have evolved differently and the impact on outcomes, providing the first comparison of local approaches in England post-New Labour. It combines national and sub-state frameworks to examine local policymaking processes that determine homelessness service provision.