Nine years of Government cuts have left a shocking £1bn per year hole in services for single homeless people. At the same time the number of people sleeping rough has soared a massive 165% since 2010. This must end.
New research commissioned by St Mungo’s and Homeless Link and carried out by WPI economics shows that council spending on support for single homeless people in England fell by 53% between 2008-9 and 2017-18. This means that local authorities in England are now spending almost £1bn less a year on these vital homelessness services compared to ten years ago.
Single people and couples without children are the least likely to have a legal right to be housed by their council and so are the most likely to end up sleeping on the streets. Support for this group is crucial to help them find and keep accommodation, and cope with the complex problems that may be contributing to their homelessness, including poor mental health, substance use and domestic abuse.
Everyone deserves a home for good. Our Home for Good campaign is calling on the government to put an end to rough sleeping by ensuring that everyone gets the long-term housing and support they need to rebuild their lives.
