The Guardian’s take on homelessness: both a health and housing crisis | Editorial
Sfigures on homelessness that show this Children in primary school are the most affected age group in England are a reminder of how badly Conservative housing policies have failed – and how urgent change is needed. In London, which has the highest homelessness rate, one in 24 pupils live in temporary accommodation – at least one in every classroom and more in poorer areas.
Rough sleeping has also increased, which poses increased risks during cold winter nights. The recent increase in funding for councils, to help them fulfill their homelessness prevention duties, was welcomed by campaigners. But with charity budgets under greater pressure than ever and an increase in national insurance for employers on the horizon, there is a real danger that housing problems for the most vulnerable members of society will get worse rather than better.
The fact that 354,000 people in England are officially homeless is a moral disgrace. Not having a home means missing one of the most basic necessities of life. The impact of such chronic insecurity extends beyond the immediate problems it causes (such as overcrowding, disruption of education and lack of privacy in hostels). Housing also impacts health and wider life chances. In an article published Sunday, poet Jay Bernard said regret is the legacy of years of living in precarious conditions — along with a greater recognition of the class differences that protect some people.
After much delay, the Tenants’ Rights Act will strengthen the hands of private tenants in dealing with landlords. No-fault evictions will finally be banned. Belatedly, the government has accepted that the weakly regulated housing market has been a disaster for too many tenants, while landlords have been able to treat other people’s homes as financial assets.
The loopholes still need to be closed as the bill makes its way through parliament. Unless rules are put in place that limit the increase in rents, such increases will almost certainly be used in place of eviction notices, to remove tenants when landlords think they can make more money by replacing them. The housing organization Shelter, together with unions and others, is pushing for one number of changes that would make such actions more difficult. Two amendments proposed by Labor MP Paula Barker, which would limit rent increases and strengthen the national register of landlords, should be backed by MPs.
The ministers have ambitious plans for housing construction – which is essential to enable young people without inherited wealth to become homeowners. The initial targets are unlikely to be met, partly due to the lack of suitable staff, and ministers need to address this urgently. If we want to reduce homelessness, they must also be robust in prioritizing the needs of social tenants. Developers should not prioritize so-called luxury housing over the less profitable, but still high-quality housing that lower-income people need.
It is difficult to quantify the extent to which housing insecurity has contributed to chronic and mental ill health. But there is no doubt that there are connections. Homelessness is harmful – as almost everyone knows instinctively. Civil society’s efforts to alleviate the suffering it causes must be defended. But charities cannot solve this problem alone. It is up to ministers to put pressure on developers and landlords. Homeless people sometimes have other problems, but what the vast majority need most is affordable housing.