“This crisis is not a “lifestyle choice” but a consequence of housing unaffordability and inadequate support services.” [Universities of Kent and Southampton]
As the Rural Homelessness Counts Coalition, a collective of over 20 organisations committed to eradicating homelessness, we must voice our deep concerns over the Home Secretary’s recent statements and legislative proposals to limit the use of tents by those experiencing homelessness.
The increase in homelessness is not confined to urban centres; our rural communities are witnessing an alarming surge, with a 24% rise in rural rough sleeping within a year. This crisis is not a “lifestyle choice” but a consequence of housing unaffordability and inadequate support services, as evidenced by researchfrom the Universities of Kent and Southampton.
The Home Secretary’s proposals, while aimed at urban homelessness, will also impact rural communities where tents are also often a last resort for those without shelter. The measures to penalise tent usage and the charities that provide them are misguided. They do not address the root causes of homelessness and instead threaten the very organisations working tirelessly to alleviate this issue in both urban and rural settings.
The countryside is beset by a ‘hidden homelessness’ crisis driven by soaring housing costs and a gaping shortfall in local authority funding, a new report shows.
The true scale of the crisis is likely to be far higher than the official statistics. The year-long study, which included a survey of 157 frontline support workers, service providers, NGOs, and shelters, found a large majority thought rural homelessness was a serious problem that was getting worse. Key findings include:
91% of respondents in rural areas have seen homelessness increase in the past five years.
83% of respondents in rural areas said their job had become harder in the past five years.
81% of respondents believe that rough sleeping is experienced differently in rural areas compared to urban areas.
