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The Guardian view on homelessness: the right to a roof The Guardian view on homelessness: the right to a roof
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Christmas traditionally sees an upsurge of sympathy towards homeless people, who are too often regarded with suspicion or contempt. This year campaigners working to change such attitudes have a new ally: the author Raynor Winn. Her acclaimed memoir The Salt Path, describing her own experience of homelessness, could not be more timely. Rough sleeping in parts of England appears out of control, with tents and sleeping bags ubiquitous in many locations and large numbers of people, including women, begging in the streets. On Friday we reported that 24,000 people are expected to sleep rough over Christmas, a 98% increase since 2010. Official figures reveal 82,310 homeless households in temporary accommodation, including 123,000 children. Some of these people remain stuck in properties miles from their schools and support networks for years.Christmas traditionally sees an upsurge of sympathy towards homeless people, who are too often regarded with suspicion or contempt. This year campaigners working to change such attitudes have a new ally: the author Raynor Winn. Her acclaimed memoir The Salt Path, describing her own experience of homelessness, could not be more timely. Rough sleeping in parts of England appears out of control, with tents and sleeping bags ubiquitous in many locations and large numbers of people, including women, begging in the streets. On Friday we reported that 24,000 people are expected to sleep rough over Christmas, a 98% increase since 2010. Official figures reveal 82,310 homeless households in temporary accommodation, including 123,000 children. Some of these people remain stuck in properties miles from their schools and support networks for years.
There is no mystery about the causes of this crisis, which has spread from London to encompass much of the south and east of England, including rural areas (by contrast in the north-east there are just 160 families in temporary homes). A lack of social housing, combined with benefit cuts, has left people priced out of the private rental market with nowhere to go, with the ending of a tenancy the most common reason for homelessness. Other factors include family breakdown, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction, while people who have been in care or in prison are disproportionately likely to end up on the streets.There is no mystery about the causes of this crisis, which has spread from London to encompass much of the south and east of England, including rural areas (by contrast in the north-east there are just 160 families in temporary homes). A lack of social housing, combined with benefit cuts, has left people priced out of the private rental market with nowhere to go, with the ending of a tenancy the most common reason for homelessness. Other factors include family breakdown, domestic violence, mental illness and addiction, while people who have been in care or in prison are disproportionately likely to end up on the streets.
There is no quick fix. This year the government relaxed restrictions on council borrowing to build. But boosting supply will take years and serious political commitment as well as loans. The charity Crisis estimates that 90,000 new social homes are needed in England each year; last year fewer than 7,000 were built. Improvements to the position of tenants have been inadequate. The government only supported the homes (fitness for human habitation) bill, placing new duties on landlords, after it came under pressure following Grenfell, and there is no national register. Enforcement against rogue operators remains weak, while a proposed increase in the length of tenancies to three years was scrapped. Meanwhile councils are still allowed to discharge their duty to house homeless people in the insecure private sector.There is no quick fix. This year the government relaxed restrictions on council borrowing to build. But boosting supply will take years and serious political commitment as well as loans. The charity Crisis estimates that 90,000 new social homes are needed in England each year; last year fewer than 7,000 were built. Improvements to the position of tenants have been inadequate. The government only supported the homes (fitness for human habitation) bill, placing new duties on landlords, after it came under pressure following Grenfell, and there is no national register. Enforcement against rogue operators remains weak, while a proposed increase in the length of tenancies to three years was scrapped. Meanwhile councils are still allowed to discharge their duty to house homeless people in the insecure private sector.
The underlying problem is a dysfunctional housing market in which homes have been turned into investments and capital grows faster than wages, while the human entitlement to shelter has fallen by the wayside. Until the government acts to cut down on property speculation, using the tax system, the gap between owners and renters can only grow. But measures to alleviate the worst impacts must be taken now, with reports about the rising numbers of deaths of rough sleepers, and violent attacks, the shaming proof of just how bad things are. Since prevention is key, the Homelessness Reduction Act obliging councils to do more to stop people from losing their homes was a positive step. A pledge to end rough sleeping by 2027 was also welcome, even if it came without new funds and lacks the strategic overview of the Scottish government’s latest plan.The underlying problem is a dysfunctional housing market in which homes have been turned into investments and capital grows faster than wages, while the human entitlement to shelter has fallen by the wayside. Until the government acts to cut down on property speculation, using the tax system, the gap between owners and renters can only grow. But measures to alleviate the worst impacts must be taken now, with reports about the rising numbers of deaths of rough sleepers, and violent attacks, the shaming proof of just how bad things are. Since prevention is key, the Homelessness Reduction Act obliging councils to do more to stop people from losing their homes was a positive step. A pledge to end rough sleeping by 2027 was also welcome, even if it came without new funds and lacks the strategic overview of the Scottish government’s latest plan.
Particularly in cold weather, charities play a vital role. But when shelters have more volunteers than they can use, it is clear that we must move beyond the idea of homelessness as a Christmas crisis. Rough sleeping has increased by 120% in England since 2010, when New Labour left office. Statistics, as well as the evidence of our own eyes, tell us that the human disaster now unfolding is the effect of wrong political choices.Particularly in cold weather, charities play a vital role. But when shelters have more volunteers than they can use, it is clear that we must move beyond the idea of homelessness as a Christmas crisis. Rough sleeping has increased by 120% in England since 2010, when New Labour left office. Statistics, as well as the evidence of our own eyes, tell us that the human disaster now unfolding is the effect of wrong political choices.
HomelessnessHomelessness
OpinionOpinion
Social exclusionSocial exclusion
HousingHousing
PovertyPoverty
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