'Why are so many people sleeping rough on Britain’s streets?' diff viewer (0/1)

This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on October 27, 2018 20:06 (UTC). It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/27/sleeping-rough-britain-streets-homelessness

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 Next version

Previous version 1 2 3 4 5 Next version

Version 0	Version 1
Why are so many people sleeping rough on Britain’s streets?	Why are so many people sleeping rough on Britain’s streets?
2018-10-27 20:10:10 UTC	2018-11-02 12:45:08 UTC (6 days later)
They share the same postcode but are very different developments. Coal Drops Yard, a new retail district boasting some 50 designer outlets and restaurants, opened last week in the gentrified area spreading from London’s King’s Cross station, a landscaped urban redoubt of Victorian warehouses and glass apartments bisected by the Regent’s Canal.	They share the same postcode but are very different developments. Coal Drops Yard, a new retail district boasting some 50 designer outlets and restaurants, opened last week in the gentrified area spreading from London’s King’s Cross station, a landscaped urban redoubt of Victorian warehouses and glass apartments bisected by the Regent’s Canal.
Home to corporate tech titans such as Google, the area, which only a couple of decades ago was synonymous with drugs, prostitution and warehouse raves, has become one of capital’s most desirable places to live. Flats in the new blocks mushrooming along the canal sell for millions, reflecting a housing market out of control, one that is stretching the term “affordability” to breaking point, with devastating consequences for those right at the bottom of the ladder – people such as Obi Ojang.	Home to corporate tech titans such as Google, the area, which only a couple of decades ago was synonymous with drugs, prostitution and warehouse raves, has become one of capital’s most desirable places to live. Flats in the new blocks mushrooming along the canal sell for millions, reflecting a housing market out of control, one that is stretching the term “affordability” to breaking point, with devastating consequences for those right at the bottom of the ladder – people such as Obi Ojang.
A resident of the second new development to open along the canal this month – a makeshift camp visible from the Observer’s offices – Ojang, 47, has been homeless since January, when he came out of prison having served a sentence for drug dealing. Ojang lived on the streets in King’s Cross before the turn of the century, when it was a much rougher area: “King’s Cross was the place back in the day. It’s where a lot of homeless people grew up very quickly. Many then moved on to the West End.”	A resident of the second new development to open along the canal this month – a makeshift camp visible from the Observer’s offices – Ojang, 47, has been homeless since January, when he came out of prison having served a sentence for drug dealing. Ojang lived on the streets in King’s Cross before the turn of the century, when it was a much rougher area: “King’s Cross was the place back in the day. It’s where a lot of homeless people grew up very quickly. Many then moved on to the West End.”
Now, as Westminster pushes back against street begging, many like Ojang are leaving the borough and returning to where they started out. This time round, though, a gentrified postcode offers fewer places to set up home unobserved. It’s a similar story in other major cities. The street homeless population is becoming increasingly visible.	Now, as Westminster pushes back against street begging, many like Ojang are leaving the borough and returning to where they started out. This time round, though, a gentrified postcode offers fewer places to set up home unobserved. It’s a similar story in other major cities. The street homeless population is becoming increasingly visible.
Ojang is typical of many who have been street homeless for a long time. By 14 he was in care, having been used as a courier by drugs gangs. His teenage cannabis use switched to cocaine and then to crack. He was diagnosed with acute personality disorder and paranoia in 1999.	Ojang is typical of many who have been street homeless for a long time. By 14 he was in care, having been used as a courier by drugs gangs. His teenage cannabis use switched to cocaine and then to crack. He was diagnosed with acute personality disorder and paranoia in 1999.
“The year before last I got nicked for attempted murder. I believed I was being set upon, people were planning to set upon me. I took a chopstick and it ended up in someone’s neck. Ended up in Thameside prison on remand.” The police dropped the case.	“The year before last I got nicked for attempted murder. I believed I was being set upon, people were planning to set upon me. I took a chopstick and it ended up in someone’s neck. Ended up in Thameside prison on remand.” The police dropped the case.
“There’s a huge number of [homeless] people with real significant mental health issues like schizophrenia, bipolar,” said Kevin Porter, chief executive officer at Signposts, an organisation that provides supported accommodation in Luton. “There just isn’t the sort of support for those people like there used to be. You could give them additional support about 10 years ago – the money just isn’t available for it now.	“There’s a huge number of [homeless] people with real significant mental health issues like schizophrenia, bipolar,” said Kevin Porter, chief executive officer at Signposts, an organisation that provides supported accommodation in Luton. “There just isn’t the sort of support for those people like there used to be. You could give them additional support about 10 years ago – the money just isn’t available for it now.
“We’re finding that people are a lot more challenging in terms of their mental health,” said Kevin Merry, concierge officer at St Anne’s hostel in Birmingham.	“We’re finding that people are a lot more challenging in terms of their mental health,” said Kevin Merry, concierge officer at St Anne’s hostel in Birmingham.
“I can only presume that there’s no specialist places for them so, unfortunately, instead they’re put into just everyday hostels now.”	“I can only presume that there’s no specialist places for them so, unfortunately, instead they’re put into just everyday hostels now.”
These are the luckier ones.	These are the luckier ones.
Exactly how many people are classed as rough sleepers – or street homeless – is a contentious issue. In London, the number is based on counts by homeless charities and outreach teams. But outside the capital, the numbers are almost exclusively provided by local authorities who base their assessment – often estimated – on the numbers on one particular night of the year.	Exactly how many people are classed as rough sleepers – or street homeless – is a contentious issue. In London, the number is based on counts by homeless charities and outreach teams. But outside the capital, the numbers are almost exclusively provided by local authorities who base their assessment – often estimated – on the numbers on one particular night of the year.
What is agreed is that rough sleepers are at the apex of a housing crisis in Britain. Research by Crisis suggests that there is a vast army of ‘invisible’ homeless – people who are not on the streets but whose circumstances are cause for concern: people sofa surfing, squatting, living in hostels and other forms of temporary accommodation, as well as cars, tents and night shelters. A report by the charity last year suggested that across Britain in 2016, 160,000 households were either sleeping rough or in one of these forms of homelessness, with the figure set to rise by more than 25% in the next decade.	What is agreed is that rough sleepers are at the apex of a housing crisis in Britain. Research by Crisis suggests that there is a vast army of ‘invisible’ homeless – people who are not on the streets but whose circumstances are cause for concern: people sofa surfing, squatting, living in hostels and other forms of temporary accommodation, as well as cars, tents and night shelters. A report by the charity last year suggested that across Britain in 2016, 160,000 households were either sleeping rough or in one of these forms of homelessness, with the figure set to rise by more than 25% in the next decade.
Ojang and his partner, Donna, who has just lost her social housing accommodation for reasons he won’t explain, can’t get into a hostel. They don’t want to be separated, which is a problem for local housing teams who can find them separate housing but nothing as a pair. He shakes his head, points at his clothes: “I bought these about two weeks ago. I’ll go and change them next week and put them in a bin. No point buying stuff because you’ve got nowhere to put it.”	Ojang and his partner, Donna, who has just lost her social housing accommodation for reasons he won’t explain, can’t get into a hostel. They don’t want to be separated, which is a problem for local housing teams who can find them separate housing but nothing as a pair. He shakes his head, points at his clothes: “I bought these about two weeks ago. I’ll go and change them next week and put them in a bin. No point buying stuff because you’ve got nowhere to put it.”
He gestures around the camp, towards another tent: “Guy who lives in there, he’s up at the crack of dawn, goes somewhere, don’t know where.”	He gestures around the camp, towards another tent: “Guy who lives in there, he’s up at the crack of dawn, goes somewhere, don’t know where.”
A few yards away is some flattened cardboard. “Got an old boy who lives there – he’s 69. He rolls in about four or five in the morning, has a little sleep until six or seven and is gone by eight,” said Ojang.	A few yards away is some flattened cardboard. “Got an old boy who lives there – he’s 69. He rolls in about four or five in the morning, has a little sleep until six or seven and is gone by eight,” said Ojang.
Ojang is supposedly in a diminishing group. Official estimates suggest that there was a 169% national increase in street homelessness between 2010 and 2017, a period when the number of people sleeping rough in London for at least one night of the year rose from 3,673 to 8,108. But for the year up to April 2018, the number in the capital had dropped to 7,484, the first decline for 10 years.	Ojang is supposedly in a diminishing group. Official estimates suggest that there was a 169% national increase in street homelessness between 2010 and 2017, a period when the number of people sleeping rough in London for at least one night of the year rose from 3,673 to 8,108. But for the year up to April 2018, the number in the capital had dropped to 7,484, the first decline for 10 years.
Ojang, though, doesn’t believe the figures. “I’m seeing more and more people on the streets who are homeless. They’re getting younger and younger. They’re getting older and older.” Rough sleepers in other cities also believe their numbers are growing.	Ojang, though, doesn’t believe the figures. “I’m seeing more and more people on the streets who are homeless. They’re getting younger and younger. They’re getting older and older.” Rough sleepers in other cities also believe their numbers are growing.
On Friday at Cornerstone in Manchester, a day centre which also provides some emergency accommodation, David Alder explained that he had been homeless for eight years, since he was evicted from his flat: “I just sleep wherever I can. Rough sleeping in Manchester has doubled in the past year, there’s no support for anyone. The council can’t help.	On Friday at Cornerstone in Manchester, a day centre which also provides some emergency accommodation, David Alder explained that he had been homeless for eight years, since he was evicted from his flat: “I just sleep wherever I can. Rough sleeping in Manchester has doubled in the past year, there’s no support for anyone. The council can’t help.
“I’ve been on the housing waiting list for seven months now and I’m a priority because of my background.”	“I’ve been on the housing waiting list for seven months now and I’m a priority because of my background.”
Another visitor to the centre, Ash Hussain, 45, was sleeping in his sister’s car outside her house. “The house is really crowded and I can sense they don’t want me there if I stay inside, so I sleep in the car. I can’t get social housing through the council because I’m not considered a priority. I’ve not been institutionalised.”	Another visitor to the centre, Ash Hussain, 45, was sleeping in his sister’s car outside her house. “The house is really crowded and I can sense they don’t want me there if I stay inside, so I sleep in the car. I can’t get social housing through the council because I’m not considered a priority. I’ve not been institutionalised.”
Lisa, who is sleeping in a hostel, but slept rough two weeks ago, questions how Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, will meet his pledge to give everyone a bed this winter: “What’s he going to do – chuck them all in Strangeways? If he can do it for winter, why can’t he do it for good?”	Lisa, who is sleeping in a hostel, but slept rough two weeks ago, questions how Manchester’s mayor, Andy Burnham, will meet his pledge to give everyone a bed this winter: “What’s he going to do – chuck them all in Strangeways? If he can do it for winter, why can’t he do it for good?”
It won’t be until the results of next month’s official homelessness count are published that the true picture of what is happening on Britain’s streets will emerge. But evidence from homeless charities, hostels, outreach teams and shelters across the country suggests demand for their services is rising just as temperatures are starting to fall. Last winter, at least 78 homeless people died on the streets and in temporary accommodation, according to figures compiled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism – a national total that is likely to be a significant underestimate.	It won’t be until the results of next month’s official homelessness count are published that the true picture of what is happening on Britain’s streets will emerge. But evidence from homeless charities, hostels, outreach teams and shelters across the country suggests demand for their services is rising just as temperatures are starting to fall. Last winter, at least 78 homeless people died on the streets and in temporary accommodation, according to figures compiled by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism – a national total that is likely to be a significant underestimate.
Dominic Williamson, executive director of policy and strategy at homelessness charity St Mungo’s, which works in London and several other cities in the west and south of England, said an increasing number of people on the streets were former rough sleepers. Since 2015, London alone has seen a 27% rise in the number of people returning to rough sleeping after spending at least a year off the streets.	Dominic Williamson, executive director of policy and strategy at homelessness charity St Mungo’s, which works in London and several other cities in the west and south of England, said an increasing number of people on the streets were former rough sleepers. Since 2015, London alone has seen a 27% rise in the number of people returning to rough sleeping after spending at least a year off the streets.
Spiralling property prices are the central villain in this story.	Spiralling property prices are the central villain in this story.
“People are being priced out of the private sector,” Williamson said. “There’s very little social housing now and the private sector is a very unstable place to be. Many people are on six-month tenancies. If the landlord feels they can get more money elsewhere, these people are vulnerable.”	“People are being priced out of the private sector,” Williamson said. “There’s very little social housing now and the private sector is a very unstable place to be. Many people are on six-month tenancies. If the landlord feels they can get more money elsewhere, these people are vulnerable.”
The housing charity Shelter points out that local housing allowance rates have been frozen until 2020, with the result that many people on benefits are priced out of private rentals altogether. This has ramifications right across the housing market.	The housing charity Shelter points out that local housing allowance rates have been frozen until 2020, with the result that many people on benefits are priced out of private rentals altogether. This has ramifications right across the housing market.
Those rough sleepers who are helped off the streets are remaining in hostels because they cannot move into rented accommodation. A similar logjam saw the number of homeless families and individuals placed in temporary accommodation jump to 78,000 last year, an 8% rise on the year and a 60% rise since 2012.	Those rough sleepers who are helped off the streets are remaining in hostels because they cannot move into rented accommodation. A similar logjam saw the number of homeless families and individuals placed in temporary accommodation jump to 78,000 last year, an 8% rise on the year and a 60% rise since 2012.
In 2009, the government removed the ring-fencing around the funding of the Supporting People programme, which was supposed to help people remain in their tenancies. Charities say this has resulted in the programme being heavily cut back in many areas, and so more people are falling through the net.	In 2009, the government removed the ring-fencing around the funding of the Supporting People programme, which was supposed to help people remain in their tenancies. Charities say this has resulted in the programme being heavily cut back in many areas, and so more people are falling through the net.
Malcolm Page, assistant director homelessness services at the Salvation Army, said universal credit had also emerged as a major factor. Studies show that four-fifths of people on universal credit are in arrears before they move to the controversial new system, which lumps a series of benefit payments into one and is gradually being rolled out across the country. Around 700,000 households have been moved on to universal credit so far, out of the projected seven million total.	Malcolm Page, assistant director homelessness services at the Salvation Army, said universal credit had also emerged as a major factor. Studies show that four-fifths of people on universal credit are in arrears before they move to the controversial new system, which lumps a series of benefit payments into one and is gradually being rolled out across the country. Around 700,000 households have been moved on to universal credit so far, out of the projected seven million total.
“When you switch to universal credit, it takes between five and eight weeks to get your first payment,” Page said. “Landlords are going to be quite choosy and say ‘if you don’t pay your rent then you’re going to be evicted’.”	“When you switch to universal credit, it takes between five and eight weeks to get your first payment,” Page said. “Landlords are going to be quite choosy and say ‘if you don’t pay your rent then you’re going to be evicted’.”
Web designer Tony Carson, 51, and fiancée Sue Rimington, 52, a chef, ended up living in a hostel in York when work dried up. They received £430 a month towards the cost of housing via universal credit but the hostel cost them £528.	Web designer Tony Carson, 51, and fiancée Sue Rimington, 52, a chef, ended up living in a hostel in York when work dried up. They received £430 a month towards the cost of housing via universal credit but the hostel cost them £528.
“If you find yourself homeless, universal credit doesn’t work,” Carson said. “The local council sent us demanding letters because we didn’t have any money. We had to borrow from friends and family.	“If you find yourself homeless, universal credit doesn’t work,” Carson said. “The local council sent us demanding letters because we didn’t have any money. We had to borrow from friends and family.
“A phrase we heard in the hostel is ‘you can never be in credit on universal credit’. The council demand you are in credit when you rent, even though universal credit pays a month in arrears and won’t actually cover your monthly rent. If you are homeless and have no money whatsoever it throws you into a debt situation. We were on a budget of £4 a day to feed ourselves and Buster [their dog]. We ended up in a tent for eight weeks.”	“A phrase we heard in the hostel is ‘you can never be in credit on universal credit’. The council demand you are in credit when you rent, even though universal credit pays a month in arrears and won’t actually cover your monthly rent. If you are homeless and have no money whatsoever it throws you into a debt situation. We were on a budget of £4 a day to feed ourselves and Buster [their dog]. We ended up in a tent for eight weeks.”
Thanks to help from Church Action on Poverty and the Salvation Army, the pair are now in a council flat. But the experience has left them scarred: “You feel very quickly that you’ve lost control of your situation and your dignity. There’s no one you can go to.”	Thanks to help from Church Action on Poverty and the Salvation Army, the pair are now in a council flat. But the experience has left them scarred: “You feel very quickly that you’ve lost control of your situation and your dignity. There’s no one you can go to.”
Denis Tully, chief executive of Emmanuel House, which operates a winter shelter in Nottingham that – like many others contacted by the Observer – will open earlier this year to cope with increased demand, said welfare reform was the major factor in the rise in homelessness in the city.	Denis Tully, chief executive of Emmanuel House, which operates a winter shelter in Nottingham that – like many others contacted by the Observer – will open earlier this year to cope with increased demand, said welfare reform was the major factor in the rise in homelessness in the city.
“But there’s also been a reduction in the move-on options,” Tully said. “Years ago, if you were in a hostel for six weeks, someone would sit down with you and go through your options. In Nottingham now, the option is usually the private rented sector. But short-term tenancies and evictions are one of the main drivers of homelessness.”	“But there’s also been a reduction in the move-on options,” Tully said. “Years ago, if you were in a hostel for six weeks, someone would sit down with you and go through your options. In Nottingham now, the option is usually the private rented sector. But short-term tenancies and evictions are one of the main drivers of homelessness.”
And as more homebuyers are priced out of the major cities, housing stock elsewhere becomes more attractive – further reducing choice in the private rented sector.	And as more homebuyers are priced out of the major cities, housing stock elsewhere becomes more attractive – further reducing choice in the private rented sector.
“People are moving down from London,” said Annie Whelan, chief officer of Seaview, a homeless charity operating in Hastings and St Leonards in East Sussex. “Gentrification is happening a lot to the coastal communities and this is having a negative impact on the housing stock, too. There needs to be more suitable accommodation for single adults.”	“People are moving down from London,” said Annie Whelan, chief officer of Seaview, a homeless charity operating in Hastings and St Leonards in East Sussex. “Gentrification is happening a lot to the coastal communities and this is having a negative impact on the housing stock, too. There needs to be more suitable accommodation for single adults.”