Michael Buchanan

Michael Buchanan reports.

In a small office of a homeless charity in East London, lives are being slowly changed.

Daniel has just found out he's one of the homeless people who've been chosen to receive a one-off grant of £2,000.

His immediate thought is to buy an electric bike.

This will save him tube fare so he can get to work.

Keeping the job will help him pay for the beds that he moved into four days ago.

Daniel has been supported by the New Way Project, a homeless charity in Newham, who've put a number of their clients forward for inclusion in the study.

By the time we arrive, Alana has already been told that she's going to get the money.

She cooks breakfast each morning as well as receiving help from New Way.

The 57-year-old has been homeless on and off for about a decade, living in temporary accommodation, hostels, even rough sleeping.

Alana is now getting the money transferred to her bank account.

Angie Allgood is New Way's director and co-founder.

The UK study has been run by King's College London.

Half the 250 homeless participants will get £2,000 each.

The other half will get nothing.

All of them, from Belfast as well as London, will be followed over the course of a year to see how, if, the money allowed them to end their homelessness.

Hannah Piggott is leading the research.

The UK study builds on a similar project carried out in Canada in 2018.

A limited study of 50 homeless people in Vancouver saw them receive the equivalent of £4,000 to see if it ended their homelessness.

Professor Jiajing Zhao from the University of British Columbia oversaw the study.