The cost-of-living crisis could have a ‘catastrophic’ impact on homelessness if the new prime minister and her government fails to treat it with the same level of urgency seen at the start of the pandemic.
That is the new warning from the Kerslake Commission on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, a group of housing, homelessness, health, and political experts.
The commission has published a new report, ‘A New Way of Working: Ending Rough Sleeping Together – Progress Report September 2022,’ which assesses the steps made towards ending rough sleeping in England and considers the impact of the current economic crisis.
The Commission – chaired by the former head of the Civil Service Lord Bob Kerslake – is an independent group of 36 experts from the health, housing, and homelessness sectors, including people with lived experience, as well as representatives from local and national government.
The secretariat function is provided by leading homelessness charity St Mungo’s.
In its latest report, the commission tracks the progress against its original recommendations made last September, grading them as green, amber or red.
It also provides an updated set of recommendations reflecting the present cost-of-living emergency.
These include:
- Reintroducing a temporary ban on evictions, as seen during the pandemic, to ensure that no one is made homeless as a result of the cost of living crisis – mirroring what was announced in Scotland earlier this month
- Increasing the benefit cap and bringing benefits in line with inflation immediately – not in April 2023 as planned
- Raising local housing allowances so that so they are in line with the bottom 30% of the market
In total, 27% of The Commission’s original recommendations were rated ‘green’, meaning that they have been achieved.
Kerslake Commission: ‘Results could be catastrophic’
Commission Chair Lord Kerslake said: “This Commission was formed in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, and we have seen much progress and excellent work done since as detailed in this report including some significant policy changes from the government, and the publication of its new Rough Sleeping Strategy earlier this month.
“However, two years on from the pandemic we are facing a new crisis – the cause may be different but the response must be equally urgent.
“The new prime minister has already announced plans to cap average household energy bills at £2,500 a year from next month. And this, while welcome, is not enough.
“Even with this help, thousands of people are still facing the very real prospect of losing their homes because they are struggling to manage.
“The devastating effect this is having can be clearly seen in the testimonies of people who so kindly shared their personal experience with the commission.
“We once again need to see the strong, decisive leadership from the government we did during ‘Everyone In’, backed by resources and funding – but this time the focus must be two-pronged.
“It is no longer just about getting people off the streets, it is about ensuring people who are currently at risk of homelessness don’t end up on them.
“Failure to act could see this become a homelessness as well as an economic crisis, and the results could be catastrophic – with all the good achieved in reducing street homelessness since the pandemic lost, and any hope of the government meeting its manifesto pledge to end rough sleeping by 2024 gone.”
Rebecca Sycamore, interim chief executive of St Mungo’s, said: “We are once again happy to support the excellent work of the Commission.
“When it was convened it was always intended to have longevity and not to produce reports that just sit on a shelf gathering dust but which provide practical and achievable recommendations to help to end rough sleeping.
“As a leading provider of frontline homelessness services we see every day the very real and very harsh reality of this financial crisis.
“And with more price increases, and the colder weather coming, it is very likely many of those currently just scraping by will no longer be able to manage, and could be at real risk of losing their homes.
“In order to prevent this from becoming a homelessness crisis action is needed now – and we fully support the new recommendations made by the Commission and urge Liz Truss and her ministers to introduce these measures as a matter of urgency to prevent more people ending up homeless this winter.”
Personal testimonies
The report contains a number of personal testimonies from people who describe how the cost of living crisis is affecting them.
One St Mungo’s client, who is living semi-independently and manages their own finances, said: “I receive £308 a month Universal Credit.
“A typical food shop that used to be £20 is now £35.
“I buy all my toiletries from discount stores.
“I can’t save any money towards move on costs or unexpected emergencies.
“Three days after getting paid I will have spent all my money paying my rent arrears, food, essentials.
“I have a savings account but never been able to save more than £10 and often dip into these tiny savings because I have no choice.
“Living like this is making me more depressed and anxious all the time.
“Today I feel angry, really angry telling you what it’s like to live miserably on such a low income.
“It’s not fair I am trying everything I can to turn my life around but things that are beyond my control have an impact on my hopes, my dreams, my aspirations.
“I walk everywhere to save money on bus fares and keep track of how many steps I do.
“One day I had several appointments and by the end of the day had walked 46,000 steps when the average recommended steps are 10,000 a day.
“My legs were so sore and stiff by the end but I had no choice as I could not afford the bus fares.
“I have no control over the cost of living prices. Life feels hopeless and something drastically needs to change.
“I don’t want my mental health to get worse or to end up ill in hospital because life is getting so stressful.”
Responding to the report, Cllr James Jamieson, chair of the Local Government Association (LGA), said: “Councils share the concerns of the commission over the potential impact of the cost-of-living crisis on homelessness.
“It is right in calling for us to draw on the successes seen during the pandemic, where councils supported thousands of people sleeping rough off the streets into safe accommodation.
“By working together, councils, government and partners can ensure that people at risk of homelessness get the help they need and prevent homelessness.
“In particular, we are calling for a fair, accessible and sufficient mainstream benefits system providing financial stability for low income households, protecting those who are unable to work, reducing health inequalities and linking effectively with key local partners to improve job opportunities and socio-economic wellbeing.”
He added: “We’re also pleased the commission supports the expansion of the LGA’s peer review temporary accommodation model, as well as for the government to carry out a consultation on a new Duty to Collaborate, which will encourage public bodies and councils to work together to prevent and tackle homelessness where it occurs.”
Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link, said: “I am proud to be a part of The Kerslake Commission, which is a proactive and constructive force for progress, ensuring that the government’s aim to end rough sleeping in this Parliament can be met.
“Homeless Link supports the commission’s new recommendations, with their focus on preventing people from losing their homes.
“The cost-of-living crisis, soaring rents and inflation are pushing people’s budgets to breaking point and leaving homelessness services themselves struggling to deliver vital support.
“While action on energy bills is welcome, this is not the only pressure, and without further government action, we are headed for a fresh homelessness emergency.”
He continued: “We need to see a package of support that includes, among other things, an increase in Local Housing Allowance, so that it covers the cheapest third of rents – an intervention that during the pandemic enabled thousands of people to keep up with their rent and stay in their homes.
“We also call for sufficient and sustainable funding for the homelessness sector, which, in delivering advice, support, accommodation, and essential amenities, acts as a lifeline for people who are forced into homelessness, and must be kept afloat.”
Richard Gammage, spokesperson for the No Homeless Veterans Campaign, which is led by the Cobseo (Confederation of Service Charities) Housing Cluster, said: “We welcome any action designed to prevent the very real possibility of more military veterans becoming homeless as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
“The Armed Forces Covenant states that anyone who has served should face no disadvantage and that veterans who are especially vulnerable should be prioritised for support.
“Since the start of the pandemic, charities have seen a rise in the number of homeless veterans seeking their help – some report an increase of 50% – we are also seeing people with more severe and complex needs.”
He added: “We are concerned that without action, the situation will get much worse.
“A more coordinated approach between local authorities, housing providers, homelessness charities and veterans’ organisations is needed.
“None of us want to see more veterans on our streets this winter.”
The Kerslake Commission convened in March 2021 to examine the lessons from the public health emergency response to rough sleeping during the pandemic and to understand how the significant progress made can be embedded in the longer term.
It has previously published two reports: one in July 2021 and one in September 2021.
The Commission will publish a second progress report in 2023.
Image credit: fizkes/Shutterstock
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