by Nirvana
Investment for Social Change
Opportunities for Problem Solving
Thousands have been left living in cars and tents as homelessness reaches a record high in the UK. As a consequence, efforts to drive away people who are homeless have increasingly made headlines as communities grapple with the escalating crises of housing shortages, drug addiction and mental health care. Homeless people present difficult issues for the authorities, however, a large part of the problem could be addressed through reforms designed to increase the supply of housing, including low-cost, no-frills housing that can meet the needs of the very poor.
According to a study carried out by Heriot-Watt University, the majority of homeless people are sofa-surfing or living in hostels, but 12,300 are sleeping rough on the streets and nearly 12,000 are sleeping in vehicles or tents. More than 170,000 individuals and families are experiencing destitution as the numbers of rough sleepers have doubled in five years. Although the homeless population is rising, the government has decreased its financial support for emergency shelter strategies and, as a result, the homelessness crisis is growing day by day. Despite the government's failures, there are more creative efforts from private and public entities trying to eradicate homelessness. This comes as housing prices across the country rise faster than wages, and affordable homes become harder to find.
"The combination of cumulative welfare reforms and increasing housing market pressures are making it even harder for low income households to find a place to live." Professor Suzanne Fitzpatrick, Heriot-Watt University.
There are many reasons for these staggering statistics. Skyrocketing housing costs, a housing inventory deficit, charities unable to find housing, housing associations unable to provide properties, not enough rental properties, veterans and accident victims unable to find accommodation, older children having to live at home and a decrease in state funding are all contributing factors. Furthermore, many of the cities that are making it more difficult for homeless people to survive outside, are also doing nothing to help them find anywhere else to go.
The scale of homelessness was 13% higher in 2017 compared to 2012, with an increase seen every year in between, according to the report from Heriot-Watt University. It estimates that 170,800 households are experiencing the most extreme forms of homelessness, compared to 151,600 in 2012.