The UK is in the grip of a housing crisis. And those in society with least are bearing it most.
The soaring cost of simply remaining in our homes is leading a march towards homelessness and a dark future. This is why Big Issue is launching the End Housing Insecurity Now campaign.
For over 30 years we have been committed to helping those who were homeless or at risk of homelessness to work their way back to society. It has become clear the need to help a greater volume of society, who in the past were not impacted, has arisen. And now it is renters, some nine million people, who are being hit with steepest bills and toughest ways to survive.
Renters face a crippling toll of cost increases. As food, fuel and rent spirals, too many people receiving universal credit and housing benefit cannot cover their rent at the current levels. Renters are being driven into debt and homelessness, just to afford the basics.
Urgent action is needed to prevent even more people being pushed into homelessness. Some 242,000 households have already been forced into sleeping on the streets, sofa surfing and living in temporary accommodation such as hostels and B&Bs. This is up by a third since 2020.
Westminster has lost its grip. To afford housing is now becoming a luxury. The crisis doesn’t discriminate through age or demographic. Young families, struggling to make ends meet and clobbered with some of the highest childcare costs are feeling it. Students and young people trying to make their way in the world are stuck. People who have tried to save to buy a home but are increasingly priced out see so much money hoovered up by essentials. Those who can’t work due to age or disability or sickness are also trapped. Enough is enough.