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Homelessness groups warn Conservative leadership contenders about ‘precipice’ facing most vulnerable
Organisations from across the homelessness sector have signed an open letter warning Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss that the cost of living crisis had pushed many people to a “precipice” and that they must take action on homelessness if elected as the next prime minister.
The letter, which was co-ordinated by charity Homeless Link, warned that without decisive governmental action, the rising cost of living and a chronic shortage of affordable housing could force many more people into homelessness in the coming months.
“Now we are at a precipice. Inflation is rising at the fastest rate for 40 years, while rents in the private rented sector have reached record levels and are still rising,” the letter said.
“We are already in the midst of a housing crisis, with a chronic lack of genuinely affordable housing. Therefore without governmental intervention, we fear many more people could be forced into homelessness.”
It called on the victorious leadership candidate to pledge to continue to try to meet the Conservative manifesto commitment of ending rough sleeping in England by 2024 and to publish a strategy by the end of 2022 to outline how they plan to achieve this.
The letter was signed by 29 organisations from across the sector, including Crisis, Shelter, St Mungo’s and various housing providers.
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It also called on Ms Truss or Mr Sunak to ensure the full list of reforms outlined in the recent A fairer private rented sector white paper are brought forward as legislation when parliament returns in September, including fulfilling the manifesto pledge of ending ‘no-fault’ Section 21 evictions.
Rick Henderson, chief executive at Homeless Link, said: “Both Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss were elected on a Conservative Party commitment to end rough sleeping by 2024 and yet, despite government figures showing homelessness increased by 11% in the first three months of this year, both leadership candidates have barely mentioned homelessness throughout their campaigns.
“It’s vital that when parliament returns next month, our new prime minister acts decisively to prevent a wave of homelessness.
“We hope that this letter, and the weight of concern it demonstrates from across the homelessness sector, will put the issue of homelessness back on their agenda, accelerating much-needed reform of the private rented sector and setting out a clear plan to meet the target of ending rough sleeping by 2024.”
Rebecca Sycamore, interim chief executive of St Mungo’s, said there had been “great work” achieved during the pandemic, with rough sleeping figures decreasing.
“The new prime minister, and their government, should continue to prioritise rough sleeping – especially considering the effect that the cost of living crisis is likely to have on the number of people facing and experiencing homelessness over the coming months,” she said.
Meanwhile, Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, called on the new prime minister to act “swiftly and decisively” to prevent soaring rates of homelessness becoming the “tragic legacy of the difficult economic times we are in”.
He added: “People on the lowest incomes are straining under the weight of price increases they simply cannot afford. Confronted with very limited options to pay their rent or a crucial bill, many people are facing the terrifying reality of no longer being able to afford their home and are at real risk of homelessness if nothing is done.
“Investing in housing benefit so that it reflects real world costs and publishing an updated rough sleeping strategy must be a priority. It’s essential that this includes a plan to deliver the genuinely affordable homes we so desperately need.”
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