The worst forms of homelessness in England have been rising year-on-year, reaching a peak just before the pandemic when the numbers of homeless households jumped from 207,600 in 2018 to over 219,000 at the end of 2019. While the past 12 months have seen a slight shift in this trend, without concerted government effort we could see 246,200 families and individuals facing the worst forms of homelessness, including sleeping on our streets, sofa-surfing or being stuck in unsuitable temporary accommodation, by 2031 - a 22% rise from current figures.

New research published today, commissioned by Crisis and carried out by Heriot-Watt University, models the projected impact of the pandemic on levels of core homelessness over the next two decades. The long-lasting economic impact of the pandemic combined with a significant rise in poverty and destitution in the short to medium turn all point to an increase in all types of homelessness over the next twenty years. While the Government’s investment in emergency and temporary accommodation to address rough sleeping in the early months of the pandemic brought down levels of homelessness, this is a short-term measure that on its own, won’t change the long-term outlook.

This is on top of what would have already been an upward trajectory of levels of homelessness in England before the pandemic hit. Many people were already at risk of losing their homes and under pressure because of high rents, low wages and lack of Government action to address the root causes of homelessness. Worryingly, the pandemic has pushed more people to the brink of homelessness.

 

Projection of core homelessness by category, England 2020-41

	2020	2036	2031	2036	2041
Rough sleepers	10,500	15,400	20,000	19,700	19,400
Unconventional accommodation	17,200	18,000	18,300	18,600	18,600
Hostels, refuges, night shelters	46,500	62,300	57,000	57,000	57,00
Unsuitable temporary accommodation	17,000	17,200	26,400	35,000	51,600
Sofa surfing	111,000	106,200	124,500	126,500	124,200
Total core homelessness	202,300	219,100	246,200	256,800	270,800

 

But we know there are solutions and policy choices that can bring the numbers of people forced to live without a home down. The research has modelled a series of ‘what if’ scenarios which show that redesigning the housing and welfare systems can prevent more than 60,000 families and individuals from becoming homeless by 2031.

Mirroring the large body of evidence in both the UK and internationally, the projections research shows that levels can only be reduced if all forms of homelessness are addressed and a package of solutions are put in place to target the systemic causes of homelessness

Over the next ten and 20-year horizon, the biggest impacts would be made by:

• scaling up Housing First
• building significantly more social homes
• continued investment in housing benefit to meet market rents and:
• prioritising access to social housing for people experiencing homelessness

The predicted levels of homelessness show while we’ve taken steps forward during the pandemic we’re now at a crucial point where policy choices can make a critical difference. If bold action is taken to invest in measures that increase the supply of affordable housing and models of support that work, such as Housing First, we can bring levels down and really make strides to end homelessness for good.