The alarming prospect of a 25% rise in homelessness by 2030 looms large over England's social services, with estimates suggesting that an additional 50,000 individuals will require assistance from local authorities. This dire prediction comes from a new report co-authored by IPPR North and Crisis, warning that without a fundamental shift towards prioritising 'housing first' policies, the current record figures of 182,540 could surge to 231,299 by 2029-30.
Andy Burnham's leadership team has reportedly been briefed on these stark projections, which have been shared with him before his expected ascension to Prime Minister. A vocal proponent of increased council housebuilding and rapid reductions in rough sleeping, Mr. Burnham has indicated a willingness to tackle the crisis head-on.
The current reality is sobering: more than 180,000 people are experiencing homelessness in England, including those in hostels and temporary accommodation, with official statistics suggesting that last summer's record of 4,793 individuals sleeping on the streets may be an underestimate. The report highlights the crippling financial strain on councils, who are forced to spend billions on expensive and often ineffective temporary solutions.
The joint report calls for urgent action, including a national expansion of Mr. Burnham's 'A Bed Every Night' programme and support for local authorities to bring long-term empty homes back into use. This would aim to reduce reliance on costly temporary housing provisions, which fail to provide stability or a genuine pathway out of homelessness.
The underlying causes of rising homelessness have been exacerbated by the severe shortage of social and affordable housing across the UK, particularly in London where escalating rental costs have left many struggling to keep pace with housing allowance. The UK Government has allocated £3.8 billion towards addressing homelessness since 2010, but critics argue that this investment is being squandered on temporary solutions rather than addressing the root causes of the problem.
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, has starkly condemned the current system as 'madness', stating that it traps people in homelessness at significant cost and with poor outcomes. He expressed confidence that Mr. Burnham will prioritise tackling this crisis, drawing on his experience as Mayor of Greater Manchester where he successfully implemented a range of initiatives to address homelessness.