Issues
Within the UK, homelessness continues to be one of the most urgent social problems, which impacts thousands of people and families. Homelessness is not just an absence of shelter, it’s a condition of detachment from civilisation normality, which in turn initiates a life of poverty and inadequate living conditions, as well as bad mental and physical health
The persistent lack of social housing
You can’t solve homelessness without homes. Within the UK, there is a persistent lack of social homes, the graph pictured , shows the negative correlation of the number of social rent homes over the last year, which saw a decrease from 200k to around 10k between the years 1950-2020. A number which continues to significantly decline. This decrease is sought to be a product of underinvestment. Both Conservative and Labour governments have reduced spendings for new social housing developments, with 2022/23 and 2023/24 seeing a decrease of affordable rent homes completed compared to 2021/22.
The transfer of housing-to-housing associations has contributed to the lack of housing, as public housing once owned by local councils, were transferred to private housing associations, which took control of housing stock. This occurred due to the a lack of consistent government support, thus leaving authorities unable to preserve and maintain these homes.
Because of this, many associations turned to Large Scale Voluntary Transfer. A governed policy which saw the handover of thousands of council houses under the promise of better management.
But as access to private housing grew and acts such as the Right to Buy grew housing decreased. With right to buy-there has been an average annual net loss of 24,000 social homes since 1991. The government has sought to have a one-to-one replacement policy in recent years. Yet, how can a policy of one-to-one be effectively applied when right to buy discounts result in financial loss?
This has ultimately worsened the policy and so left a gap in management and ownership, which started to decrease the amount of social housing, thus driving people to the streets.
After they were made homeless, Vicky and her children were left with no choice, but to move between houses before moving into temporary accommodation. because of affordability and unavailability.
Vicky's story:
‘This is meant to be temporary accommodation but we’re stuck here, as there is nowhere else left to go. Having a decent and stable home is so important to me. Somewhere that can support my children’s health and wellbeing’
Lack of inadequate housing benefits.
The main cause of homelessness is not being able to secure/afford a home. As one in three private renters rely on universal housing credit to help pay their rent. The local housing allowance (LHA) is used to determine the maximum amount of housing benefit that a tenant can receive. However, since 2016, LHA rates have frozen whilst rent costs continued to increase. The growing gap between support for housing cost and rent increase has corresponded with an increase in homelessness, as in 2023, 58% of private renters claiming housing benefit had a shortfall to the cost of their rent, on average these costs totalled £163 a month, People with low incomes, were forced to find this money, or potentially faced with being evicted.
The 2021 benefit cap in the UK, limited the amount of social security benefits individuals could receive. This cap reduced financial supplies available to families, and although in 2023, the cap raised 10%. It has since remained that this stage whilst cost increased have meant many people have not entirely seen this benefit.
If total benefit exceeds the cap. The department for work and pensions (DWP) reduces universal credit payments and the council reduces housing benefit to guarantee the limit isn’t exceeded. This means that those with larger families, children or those who face high rent cost, have little to no income after paying rent.
Eviction and privately rented homes
Eviction of home privately rented homes is one of the main activators in causing homelessness. 4.5 million homes are now living in the private rented sector, whilst it is also highlighted that 30% of these people are to be facing in-work poverty. A figure which has increased from 50% from 2000/01. Whilst legal documents like ‘section 21’ exists. These people may find themselves at removal without any fault and as little as 2-month notice. This lack of notice and reasoning may leave tenants without any time to find alternative housing if they are unable to find sustainable housing.
Dr Liga Texeria commented on this figure: We are particularly concerned about the 4.5 million people living in private rented accommodation where provisional contracts, shorthold tenancies, and the renewed possibility of eviction from landlords if tenants fall behind with the rent or when fixed tenancies end make this an insecure form of housing for many’
Fundings and cuts
Years of government neglect have left nearly local services for homeless people with a £1 billion funding gap according to research carried out by St Mungos’s and and Homeless link. These cuts are suggested to impact, coastal towns, university cities and rural areas.
The homeless prevention grant support service, which provides funding to local authorities to prevent and challenge homelessness, is facing reduced funding and in turn has caused organisations such as ‘Portlight’ to reduce their service whilst also potentially forcing a closure. Whilst the removal of ring-fenced funding has been felt across all homeless services.
These cuts have impacted cities massively, with places like Oxford set to lose £776,000 in prevention services despite the people that require homeless support growing 128% in the last three years.
Consequences of Homelessness
These factors play a massive role in exacerbating the issue of homelessness, and can also lead to dire consequences.
Employment
For those who are or on the edge of homelessness, it is becoming increasingly harder to maintain employment. The pressure of rent, bills and daily supplies, hinder ones chance to survive and stay afloat, whilst reasons such as poor hygiene and clothing, lack of transportation and technology and lack of a permanent address all include sub-factors which may stop those from joining or maintaining employment.
Health
Without a home, people are more likely to experience worse physical and mental health. People who experience homelessness are more likely to experience health conditions such as tuberculosis, heart conditions and asthma compared to those with a home. Life expectancy decreases drastically on the streets, with the average age of death for a man equalling 45, whilst women reach 43, a statistic which highlights how these people are dying decades before their time.
Violence
People sleeping on the streets, are 17 more times likely to have been victims of violence and 25 times more likely to have receive verbal abuse compared to those who do not live on the streets. These people are more open to abuse because they have no sense of safety and protection. Whilst this violence occurs, many people experience mental health issues and a sense of isolation, which ultimately leads to depression and suicide.
Exclusion
Homelessness is associated with social exclusion because of the characteristic inter winded with homelessness (Van Laere et al. 2009). Homelessness, can make it difficult to maintain relationships, have social participation, due to the negative stigma and perception. The view that people judge the homeless, can create a a feeling of isolation and loneliness. Whilst also creating a loss of identity and self-worth.
Suicide
Up to 70% of young people who experience homelessness have mental health issues whilst 33% self-harm. In turn with this, people who experience a loss of house have a higher risk of suicide than the general population, who are stable. Suicide is growing at an increasing rate among the homelessness, with 13% of deaths for homelessness were caused by suicide. A statistic which needs to stop.
Key statistics
Key statistics highlighting homelessness is on the rise:
