‘Devastating’ rise in homelessness ‘proof of housing crisis’, charities warn

Charities have warned of a “housing crisis” after new figures showed that 56,500 households were accepted as homeless in England in 2015 – a rise of one-third since David Cameron’s administration came to power in 2010.

The Office for National Statistics released figures for the final three months of last year, during which some 14,470 households became homeless, an increase of 6% in England and 10% in London compared to the same period last year.

Homelessness charity Shelter said the figures included 41,020 families with children – some 8% more than last year and 42% higher than five years ago – and that the number of homeless families living in emergency B&Bs and hostels had risen by 14% in a year and 103% over five years.

But the charity Crisis pointed out that the situation was dramatically different in Wales, where the number of households accepted as homeless had fallen by 67% to 405 since the devolved government introduced a new legal duty to prevent or relieve homelessness at the start of 2015.

Chancellor George Osborne announced a £115 million package in last week’s Budget to support the homeless and reduce rough sleeping.

But Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb dismissed the package as “inadequate” and said it was time for the Government to “urgently prioritise building homes that people on low and ordinary incomes can actually afford to rent long-term or buy”.

The “devastating” rise in homelessness revealed by the new figures provided “unquestionable proof this country is once again at the mercy of a housing crisis”, he said.

Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes blamed an increasingly insecure rental market, cuts to housing benefit and reduced local council funding.

He added: “The law as it stands in England means that single homeless people who go to their councils for help are often turned away to sleep on the streets – cold, desperate and forgotten.

“It’s a scandal that someone in this situation can be told they’re not vulnerable enough for help.

“Now is the time for action, and the course is very clear.

“We strongly urge the Government to follow through on its commitment to consider options – including legislation – to prevent more people from becoming homeless.”

Local Government Association housing spokesman Peter Box said councils were “desperate” to build more homes but this was made “increasingly difficult” by Government initiatives forcing them to cut rents and sell-off housing stock.

“With 69,000 people already currently living in temporary accommodation, more than a million more on council waiting lists and annual homelessness spending of £330 million, there is a real fear that this lack of homes will increase homelessness and its associated costs further,” said Cllr Box.

Shadow housing minister John Healey MP, said the number of disabled people made homeless had increased by 39% since 2010

“The Chancellor has backed down on some new disability benefit cuts but these figures expose the harsh impact on disabled people of the cuts he’s already made,” Mr Healey said.

“The Chancellor pledged £115 million to help homelessness in the Budget but this is not new money and even if the funds are provided in full it will recover only £1 in every £9 the Chancellor is set to strip from homelessness hostels and other specialist housing in further cuts to housing benefit support announced in the Autumn Statement.”

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron described the figures as “deeply worrying”, insisting there was no reason for anyone to be homeless in the UK in 2016.

“With 1.6 million people nationwide on housing waiting lists and homelessness steadily increasing year on year, there is a desperate need for more affordable homes,” Mr Farron said.

“Instead of tackling this, the Government are planning to sell off council homes and replace many affordable homes for rent with homes for the better off to buy.

“The Government is letting down the most vulnerable in our communities.”

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: “This Government has always been committed to supporting the most vulnerable people in our society and while statutory homelessness remains less than half the 2003/04 peak, one person without a home is one too many.

“That is why, in addition to the £139 milion already committed to homelessness programmes and the maintaining of dedicated council funding, a further £100 million of accommodation support was confirmed in the Budget. We know more must be done, which is why are considering all options, including legislation, to prevent more people becoming homeless in the first place.”

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