Crisis, a homelessness charity, has recently released a report showing a rise in those living without a home. In addition, the report shows that they believe with a continuing economic downturn and planned government welfare cuts the crisis could spread up into the middle classes, leaving many on the streets.
Over the Summer figures were released stating that '44,160 had been accepted homeless and placed in social housing' this was the largest increase in almost a decade. Government, Councils and Organisations turned to B&B's and small hotels to temporarily house the new overwhelming increase in the homeless as space in social housing has started to stretch as far as it will go. This is becoming more and more evident as the homeless are increasingly spilling out onto the streets, unable to find accommodation. Interestingly, those living on the streets are predominantly migrants form Eastern Europe and not British Citizens.
These figures are worrying as Crisis stresses that if welfare benefits are further reduced, combined with increasing rent, salary freezes and increasing unemployment, figures could continue rising for the next few years. The Government has introduced a few initiatives such as the £4.5 affordable homes programme, hoping to generate 170,000 affordable homes, although many argue they will fall well short of their target with some expecting a creation of only 50,000 affordable home.
It is hoped that interest rates will be kept low in order to ease the strain being put on those trying to get back on their feet. Hopefully an upswing in the economy is on its way as many see this as the only hope in keeping people off the streets.
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