Homelessness in the U.K.

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1) Why are people homeless in the UK?

The latest Shelter report suggests that there are over 320,000 homeless people in the UK. A further 726 people died from homelessness in England and Wales. These figures paint a grim picture of a crisis hard to ignore.

Homelessness in the UK has a range of causes, both structural and personal.

poverty and unemployment

Poverty and unemployment are significant factors. People living below the poverty line find it difficult to afford housing. Their poor financial condition deprives them of adequate shelter. Unemployment might be long-term, or it may be a sudden occurrence. Either way, the person suffering from it cannot afford rent or mortgage. Job insecurity results in housing uncertainty. The general rise in property prices has made life even more difficult for these people.

domestic abuse

Domestic abuse affects people in many ways. One of these is forcing the victims to leave their homes. While they get respite from the abuse, they find themselves on the streets. Returning to their abusive relations is hardly an option. Thus, they end up spending a long time without a decent home.

drub abuse

Drug abuse is common in the UK. 1 in 10 adults between the ages of 16 and 59 suffer from it. Drug addicts often face expulsion from their homes. Their problems with addiction make them unbearable for their family members. These individuals spend a lot on drugs, which leaves little behind for rent or mortgage. They will usually refuse to seek help with housing, despite their homelessness. Thus, their addiction problems continue without a roof over their heads.

mental and physical illnesses

Victims of mental and physical illnesses face homelessness, too. Their families either can’t bear them or can’t afford treatment for them. Thus, such individuals end up living on the streets as well.

2) What parts of the UK have the greatest problems with homelessness?

The highest levels of homelessness exist in London. As of last count, the capital city hosted 170,000 homeless people. Other big cities like Birmingham and Manchester face problems with homelessness as well.

This is because these cities have vast populations. There is already a significant strain on their housing resources. There is not enough affordable housing for all. This becomes even more true when one considers the income inequality in these cities. They comprise migrants from various parts of the UK and from around the world. While they hope to find a better life here, they might struggle to find adequate housing. If they live below the poverty line, they have no choice but to live on the streets.

3) What is the UK doing to help the currently homeless?

Charities, volunteers, and relevant NGOs all play their part in tackling homelessness.

Shelter is a homelessness service accessible via website and telephone. It offers advice on dealing with housing problems and general homelessness. You can use it to know your rights as a homeless person. It will also help you determine legal situations you might find yourself in and how to deal with them.

A similar organization is Citizens Advice Bureau. It is a charitable body that offers free legal advice to the homeless. The Bureau provides advice via telephone, email, or even in person. The goal is to empathize with the homeless and advocate for their rights.

NGOs and volunteers operate emergency shelters as well. These shelters allow the homeless to spend a night or two in peace. For instance, The Salvation Army runs hostels and shelters for the homeless. It also provides outreach and addiction services. It is even offering some ‘Housing First’ projects to improve lives.

Soup kitchens are also common across the UK. These kitchens are accessible and allow the homeless to have a decent meal. Many charitable groups organize food drives for the homeless. They also distribute blankets and clothes to people living on the streets. Drop-in centers allow the homeless to gain shelter and interact with others like them.

4) What is the government doing to prevent future homelessness in the UK?

The government has made it a legal duty for local authorities to provide 24/7 advice to the homeless. If a homeless person approaches them, they must investigate his situation. They then have a legal duty of assisting the person and helping him with accommodation. This only happens if the person can prove his homelessness. If his case is pending, the government offers temporary accommodation. The main idea is that a person must ‘qualify’ for homelessness to qualify for housing.

The UK government also operates a national service called Streetlink. This allows rough sleepers to get immediate 24/7 help. If you know someone homeless, you can inform Streetlink via website or telephone. In response, the service assesses the homeless person ad offers temporary housing. If the person has addiction issues, the service refers him to charities like St. Mungo’s. If the person is a foreign national with no access to public funds, Streetlink offers other forms of financial support.

5) What measures can the government implement to end homelessness in the UK?

The government can invest in more housing options and adopt the 'Housing First' principle. There is a need for more buildings that can provide permanent housing to people. It is also essential for this housing to be affordable and accessible. This will be especially helpful for large cities struggling with homelessness. With the right civic plans, the government can increase housing options for everyone.

The UK government can implement ‘Housing First’. This is the principle of giving unconditional accommodation to a homeless person up-front. The person can then access other forms of support as well. This is different from expecting a homeless person to ‘qualify’ for housing. This policy guarantees a home for the homeless and gives them a stable base for dealing with other problems. Finland implemented ‘Housing First’ and achieved immense success.

The UK government has already installed pilot schemes in places like Greater Manchester. The real challenge now will be providing consistent funding and adequate housing.

6) What can citizens do to help end homelessness in the UK?

As a citizen, you may not bring drastic improvements for the homeless. But, you can change your attitudes for the better.

For starters, every citizen must make it a point to empathize with homeless people. We must not be wary of greeting them or engaging with them. We must acknowledge their existence as worthy human beings.

It is also possible to prepare special care packages for the homeless. These could include food, water, and clothes that will help them get through another day. Volunteering at drop-in centers, food banks, or local shelters will also have an impact. Not only will it allow you to help the homeless, but it will also make it easier for you to empathize with them.

Helping the homeless can also be achieved by donating to charities or programs geared towards ending homelessness. Such programs need all the funds they can get to have a positive impact on the lives of the homeless. Even a paltry amount donated by you can go a long way in helping the needy.

Spreading relevant information is also important. If you find a homeless person, forward his details to services like Streetlink. This helps the authorities know where and how to help someone.

You could also consider becoming an advocate for the homeless. This can include educating people about the plight of the homeless. You can also fight for the rights of those who face constant harassment. By raising awareness like this, you can improve the lives of the homeless.

7) If I am homeless in The UK, who can help me?

Social workers and NGOs can help you. They can guide you to drop-in centers, soup kitchens, and other helpful places. If you struggle with addiction, they may also help you get to rehab. They can even help you find a decent place to live for the long term. It is easy to find them via the Internet or by asking around.

Final Thoughts

Homelessness is a raging problem in the UK. Neither the people nor the government can solve it overnight. There is a need for a national strategy that makes it easier for the homeless to avail housing. You can play your part by educating yourself and others and by helping the homeless in any way you can. Homelessness may be a critical problem, but it doesn’t have to be that way for long.