Eleanor Lawrie and Michael Buchanan from BBC Social Affairs have reported a significant increase in the number of people sleeping rough in England. According to official statistics recorded on a single night last autumn, the number of rough sleepers reached 4,667, marking a near-record high and the third consecutive annual rise. While London still has the highest number of rough sleepers, the issue is growing at a faster rate in the rest of England, as indicated by data from the Ministry of Housing.
One individual named Alex has been sleeping rough in the town of Wisbech in Cambridgeshire for the past two years. Alex shared that he was kicked out of his home by his mother after the house was split following his siblings turning 16. As rough sleeping has increased by 22% in the east of England, Alex described homelessness in Wisbech as a “social epidemic.” The true extent of homelessness in rural towns like Wisbech is often underestimated, with individuals finding shelter in fields, sheds, cemeteries, and sports pitches.
John Heathorn, an outreach worker at a local homelessness charity called the Ferry Project, shared insights into the factors contributing to homelessness in the area. He mentioned that the main challenge is having enough income to afford private rent, as landlords typically prefer to see a stable work contract. Despite the charity currently housing more than 40 vulnerable individuals, there is still a substantial waiting list for accommodation. John himself experienced homelessness, sleeping in a local cemetery for over a year after struggling to secure regular employment.
The demographic of homeless clients at the Ferry Project has notably changed since the Brexit vote and its aftermath. Previously, they were predominantly eastern European, but now approximately 70% are British. One of their current clients, David, revealed that he had been sleeping in a shed for six months after breaching his tenancy agreement. The snapshot data showed a significant rise in the number of rough sleepers from the UK compared to those from the EU, with every English region experiencing an increase in rough sleeping. The housing crisis in England has had a devastating impact, evident from the rising numbers of rough sleepers and families living in temporary accommodation
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