Dear Steve Reed: We must do better at tackling homelessness – and fast

So yet another new minister takes charge of England’s housing. It is vital that Steve Reed and his team turn their attention to the growing homelessness crisis we face and fast.

The homelessness statistics have been heading upwards for some time with record numbers of families in temporary accommodation and rough sleepers on the streets of London. Behind every statistic is a case of life on hold, disrupted and in despair, and in turn of a frontline worker battling away trying to help that individual off the streets, or a family get the accommodation they need.

At St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity we believe it’s vital that we value, support and listen to those frontline workers. The perspectives of the 1,300-plus staff working in the sector across the UK who responded to our survey are stark.

The overwhelming majority (85%) of frontline staff reported an increase in demand for their services in the last 12 months, and a stark 80% think the homelessness situation will only get worse in the next few years.

Our report captures three key challenges. The first is an acute lack of housing. Eighty-three per cent of the frontline workers who responded said it was difficult to access suitable accommodation and 55% said this had got worse in the last year. As one told us: “I just don’t see it getting any better. Our emergency/temporary accommodation is full, we are placing people in B&Bs, there is not enough affordable housing, no social housing, we are at saturation point.”

The private rented sector (PRS) is increasingly relied on but also increasingly out of reach. Ninety per cent of workers said it was difficult to find landlords willing to let to people on housing benefit and 84% that it was challenging to find accommodation at local housing allowance rates. Where PRS accommodation could be secured it is increasingly unsuitable and having a negative impact on health and wellbeing.

The second key concern of those working on the frontline is that of disconnected or insufficient services and a lack of joint responsibility across housing, health and support which are significantly harming outcomes. Long waiting lists were identified as a barrier by 88% of staff, more than half reported that digital exclusion was preventing those experiencing homelessness from accessing the support they needed, and nearly seven in 10 said it was particularly difficult to get support for people with both mental health and substance misuse support needs. Too many people with more complex needs are falling through the gaps and being left without support or stuck in unsuitable housing and unable to move forward.

Thirdly, it is clear that the unprecedented levels of demand and gaps in provision are also putting huge pressure on those working in homelessness who are having to adapt and fill in the gaps in other services. Homelessness staff are having to become counsellors or advisors on benefits or immigration matters because there is no one else who will.

Workers told us of the despair they feel when they can’t offer the help people need. As one said: “The amount of times I have to say to a client that I’m sorry I can’t help them is an absolute disgrace. It makes me feel really ashamed of myself and what I do for a living, because I’m supposed to help, they come to me for help, and I can’t give it to them because the system is designed to trip people up at every possible opportunity.”

Read more:

• Here’s what to do if you see a homeless person
• Meet the primary school children with big ideas to end homelessness in the UK
• Home Office halves time for new refugees to find a home in move ‘guaranteed to increase homelessness’

The increasing challenges frontline staff face means 57% are saying they feel at risk of burnout. Just a third of staff say their pay covered their living costs, with a similar number having to take on other jobs to make ends meet, it cannot be a surprise that only 27% feel hopeful about the future of their job. The risk is that many will leave the sector, taking their knowledge, commitment and expertise with them.

We can and must do better. The government’s commitment to social housing in the spending review was welcome and will make a difference, eventually. But we also need concerted action on homelessness – and now.

We need a new homelessness minister to develop and deliver a homelessness strategy up to the task to resolve, reduce and prevent all forms of homelessness. And we need a downpayment on that commitment in the forthcoming budget to review and uprate the level of local housing allowance. Finally, any new strategy will only succeed with the workforce to deliver it so investing in the training, wellbeing and pay of frontline workers must be prioritised. As one told us: “Looking after workers can often be forgotten but is essential when working with vulnerable and traumatised homeless people.”

We know Big Issue readers care about homelessness. We must hope our government will similarly prioritise it.

Duncan Shrubsole is CEO of St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. 

Reader-funded since 1991 – Big Issue brings you trustworthy journalism that drives real change.

Every day, our journalists dig deeper, speaking up for those society overlooks.

Could you help us keep doing this vital work? Support our journalism from £5 a month.