The Joseph Rountree Foundation and Crisis published research into homelessness in England in March 2017. The homelessness monitor is a longitudinal study, providing an independent analysis of the homelessness impacts of recent economic and policy developments in the UK.
Jon Sparkes (Chief Executive, Crisis) and Campbell Robb (Chief Executive, Joseph Rowntree Foundation) said:
“There are serious concerns for single young people because of rising unemployment, benefit cuts and spiralling rents. Two thirds of local authorities told us they expect it to be ‘much more difficult’ to help 18-21 year olds access housing in the next few years.”
The report found that:
- An ongoing upward trend in officially estimated rough sleeper numbers remained evident in 2016, with the national total up by 132% since 2010.
- Fewer supported accommodation units were available for homeless people, and this accommodation was reported to be under acute pressure across the country.
- While local authority spending on homelessness has increased somewhat (by 13%) since 2010, reflecting the priority attached to this area by central government, overall council spending on housing has dropped by 46 per cent in real terms.
Download the full report, a summary, or reports from previous years.
