Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
A recent study conducted by Crisis, a charity organization, reveals that the actual number of homeless individuals and families in England exceeds the figures provided by the government. The research indicates that approximately 189,000 families and individuals experiencing severe forms of homelessness, such as rough sleeping, sofa surfing, and living in tents, were not accounted for in the official statistics. According to Crisis, many individuals do not report themselves as homeless to local authorities, contributing to the discrepancy in data.
The charity’s report highlights a significant increase in the number of people facing extreme forms of homelessness, with figures climbing by a fifth since 2022 to reach around 300,000 individuals. One of the primary factors behind this rise is the surge in individuals being housed in inadequate temporary accommodations. The data indicates a spike from 19,200 households in unsuitable temporary housing in 2020 to 46,700 in 2024, as identified by research conducted by Herriot-Watt University.
Moreover, the Crisis research underscores that numerous individuals included in their study do not meet the eligibility criteria established by the government and local councils to receive homelessness support. Isra, a young woman who arrived in the UK from Iraq in 2009, reflects on her family’s turbulent housing situation, recalling over 10 different unsuitable temporary accommodations in London. She describes cramped living conditions infested with rats, which posed challenges for her education and social life. Matt Downie, Crisis’s chief executive, emphasizes the urgency for a swift government response to address the dire circumstances faced by those experiencing homelessness.
Recent government data reveals that nearly 330,000 households were at risk of homelessness in 2024, including individuals in appropriate temporary accommodations and those who managed to retain their housing. In response to the escalating crisis, the government has announced an £84m funding boost to prevent homelessness during the winter months, alongside plans to launch a homelessness strategy. While Labour pledged a homelessness strategy in their election manifesto, some concerns have been raised over delays in its implementation. A survey carried out as part of the Crisis research indicates a surge in the number of individuals seeking homelessness assistance from local councils, underscoring the pressing need for comprehensive solutions to address homelessness in England
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.