Over 9,000 people with the most serious support needs, such as
trauma, physical and mental health problems and drug and alcohol
dependencies, are at risk of being trapped in a cycle of
homelessness because there aren’t enough Housing First programmes
available to support them into a permanent home, the homelessness
charity Crisis has warned in a new report published today.
Launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Everyone In
scheme saw more than 37,000 people experiencing the worst forms
of homelessness move into emergency accommodation where they
could safely isolate from the virus.
But with no national directive and
insufficient funding to continue the scheme, coupled with a lack
of affordable housing to support people in to, many councils are
being forced to close this emergency accommodation, leaving
thousands at risk of being forced onto the streets or remaining
trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation. This is
particularly problematic for people with multiple and serious
needs who require more intensive help through programmes like
Housing First to end their homelessness, but far more need this
support than there are places available.
Crisis is warning that without funding
to nationally roll-out Housing First in the autumn spending
review, the government is at serious risk of undermining the
progress it’s made towards achieving its commitment to end rough
sleeping by 2024. In London, official figures indicate that the
number of people deemed to be living on the streets has already
returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Unlike other homelessness programmes,
Housing First works on the principle that someone is provided
with a stable ordinary home first and then tailored unconditional
support, for issues such as trauma, mental health and addiction,
is provided alongside this for as long as it’s needed. Rather
than making tackling these issues a condition of being able to
access a tenancy.
Previous research by Crisis and Homeless Link estimate that
around 16,400 people in England need Housing First to end their
homelessness but currently there are just 2,000 places available.
By rolling the scheme out nationally, Crisis analysis shows that
for every £1 invested in Housing First, £1.24 of savings will be
made to the public purse due to the reduction in the use of
homelessness and other related services such as health and
criminal justice.
The warning comes as Crisis
relaunches Home for All a campaign which is calling on the Westminster government
to commit to a national strategy that will tackle rough sleeping
and homelessness so that everyone, helped during the pandemic and
in the future, can move into a safe and stable home – starting
with the national roll-out of Housing First.
Jon Sparkes, Crisis Chief Executive at Crisis,
said: “It’s extremely
concerning that thousands of people with serious and complicated
needs could be at risk of remaining trapped in a cycle of
homelessness because we do not have enough Housing First
programmes to support them.
“The past 18 months have shown what
can be done when we prioritise tackling one of the greatest
social injustices of our time – but we need to go further. The
job isn't finished until people are moved into permanent homes
and provided with the support they need to keep it. We cannot
allow people to drift from night shelter to night shelter as they
struggle to deal with the fallout from a lack of ongoing
support.
“As we rebuild from the pandemic it’s
crucial that we seize this moment and invest in the national
roll-out of Housing First so that thousands of people can be
given the chance of creating a life away from homelessness.
That’s why we are relaunching a campaign today to ensure there is
a home for all.”
-Ends-
Notes to Editor
-
Analysis by Crisis estimates that
9,400 people who were helped through Everyone In have support
needs that would best supported through Housing First. Using
six secondary data sources – CHAIN, Crisis’ survey data, Hard
Edges, MHCLG survey data, and Multiple Exclusion
Homelessness -
which have recorded the support
needs of people rough sleeping, sofa surfing and living in
temporary accommodation we have analysed the proportions of
people experiencing mental and physical health needs, drug
and/or alcohol needs, exiting the criminal justice system and
care system. Based on existing evidence we assume a
mid-estimate of 9,400 out of the 37,000 people supported
through Everyone In have a combination of these support
needs.
-
Cost calculations are based on
research carried out by Crisis and the Centre for Social Justice
and informed by conversations with
the existing regional pilots. These include the cost of
providing support services, health services, personal move in
costs and support with rent through housing benefits.
-
Savings calculations are based on
research examining the reduction in the use of services when
someone’s homelessness is ended and have been moderated to develop estimates
of Housing First specific savings.
These include savings due to reduced use of homelessness
services, drug and alcohol services, mental health services,
the NHS and the criminal justice system.
-
The Combined Homelessness and
Information Network (CHAIN), the most robust available data on
rough sleeping, highlights that between April and June this
year the number of people deemed living on the streets in
London because they have been seen sleeping rough for
consecutive, weeks, months or years, has increased by 25% and
represents one in seven people. https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/chain-reports
-
Figures on the number of people who
need Housing First in England can be found in the following
report: Implementing Housing First Across England,
Scotland and Wales https://www.crisis.org.uk/media/239451/implementing_housing_first_across_england_scotland_and_wales_2018.pdf
