1 in 5 Brits Worried about Homelessness, Study Shows

One in five people in the UK is concerned about homelessness, according to a recent study conducted by Places for People. The findings reveal that 21% of the population fears that they or someone they know may become homeless within the next 12 months. This worrying statistic highlights the pressing issue of homelessness across the country.

The study also showed that 77% of the UK population believes that the Government should support the construction of more social homes to tackle the problem of homelessness. The call for more affordable housing is particularly urgent, with renters – both in the private and social sector – expressing greater concern about homelessness compared to homeowners.

The latest government data on homelessness is equally concerning. In England, 3,898 people were recorded as sleeping rough on a single night in Autumn 2023, with 121 in Wales and 2,438 households reporting rough sleeping in Scotland. However, rough sleeping numbers do not fully capture the extent of the homelessness crisis.

Temporary accommodation numbers are at a record high, with 112,660 households in England, 15,625 in Scotland, and 5,700 in Wales. Additionally, there are 1.29 million households waiting for social homes in England, 110,900 in Scotland, and 90,000 in Wales, emphasizing the urgent need for affordable housing solutions.

The study’s results underline public perception of homelessness as a major national issue. An overwhelming 80% of people believe homelessness is a significant problem, with 81% advocating for increased government funding to prevent homelessness. Places for People, a housing provider with over 245,000 properties in the UK, is urging the next government to prioritize the construction of 90,000 social homes per year.

John Greaves, chief impact officer at Places for People, expressed alarm at the study’s findings, emphasizing the critical need for more social homes. He highlighted the importance of building a variety of housing tenures to alleviate pressure on the housing market and support those facing hardships.

While acknowledging the challenge of building 90,000 social homes annually, Greaves proposed a collaborative approach involving developers, local authorities, and the public to plan and deliver quality homes. Places for People is committed to working with Homes England and local authorities to trial new models of development that prioritize community needs.

Despite its efforts to address the housing crisis, Places for People completed 1,750 new homes in the last year, with 86% deemed affordable and 265 available for social rent. An additional 1,944 homes are currently under construction, with 74% classified as affordable and 210 designated for social rent.

The study, conducted by Opinium on behalf of Places for People, surveyed 4,000 UK citizens. The release of this research coincides with the upcoming General Election, underscoring the importance of addressing homelessness as a key policy issue.