• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Monday, May 19, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

This government needs to take responsibility for the homelessness crisis

Afroze Fatima Zaidi by Afroze Fatima Zaidi
29 January 2020
in Analysis, UK
Reading Time: 3 mins read
169 3
A A
0
Home UK Analysis
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

It’s no secret that homelessness in the UK is now a national crisis. Figures have skyrocketed over the last decade of Tory rule. And councils are now at breaking point, spending hundreds of millions annually on temporary fixes for homelessness which aren’t working. What’s worse, distracting people with Brexit has meant that no meaningful action on homelessness seems forthcoming from this government.

While it may be easy to try and blame people who become homeless for their own situation, doing so isn’t just insensitive – it’s inaccurate. It’s also deliberate. The mainstream media has failed to bring adequate attention to the Conservatives’ woeful track record when it comes to serving working-class people. And the right-wing press has actively and consistently scapegoated the poorest people in our society and demonised the politicians who might work in their interest. The combined impact of this is fairly obvious through the December 2019 election results.

But what are the actual causes of homelessness? While the current crisis is a result of a combination of factors, all of them can be traced back to Tory austerity at their roots.

1) Cuts to benefits and council budgets

Changes to the benefits system like the introduction of Universal Credit, as well as cuts to disability benefit and local council budgets, are among the key causes of homelessness. Because of a freeze in local housing allowances (LHA), rents remain largely unaffordable. This means that, even for those receiving LHA, private renting has become next to impossible for many. So even though local councils have increased their internal budgets for tackling homelessness, the housing crisis has become a leaky bucket. Councils can’t keep up with increasing demand for the need for temporary housing.

And to top it off, landlords and letting agents are still discriminating against benefit claimants. So it’s no surprise that people are unable to find housing, even after receiving assistance for it.

2) Cuts to homeless services

Aside from austerity cuts to local councils, the government has also cut funding to its ‘Supporting People’ programme (“a major source of funding for homeless shelters”) by 59% since 2010. As of 2018, the number of beds available in shelters had been reduced by a fifth since 2010.

Not only does this put greater pressure on councils to find temporary housing for homeless people, it also puts lives at risk. A study in June 2019 reported a direct link between homeless deaths and budget cuts to councils. The areas hit hardest by local-council funding cuts also saw the highest numbers of deaths among homeless people.

3) Lack of housing options

It should go without saying that while local councils are trying to provide temporary housing for homeless people, and especially families, the real issue remains unresolved.

The housing crisis has come about because of the severe shortage of affordable permanent housing options in the UK. And the Tories have done nothing to address this over the last decade – in fact, the number of social homes built since 2010 has dropped by an astounding 90%. Moreover, cuts to benefit payments, council funding, and homeless services have actively built the homelessness crisis we see today.

Surely, an issue as crucial as housing should be a priority for any government. But because it’s only really affecting the poorest people in British society, it’s no surprise that this Tory government isn’t taking any responsibility for it.

Featured image via Geograph/Evelyn Simak

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

Four key points of controversy from Trump’s Israel-Palestine plan

Next Post

After the 2019 election, we need media reform now more than ever

Next Post
Sun front page from 2019 election

After the 2019 election, we need media reform now more than ever

Peter Hitchens

Peter Hitchens stresses the 'vital importance' of whistleblowing about chemical weapons in Syria

World likely to see new record hot year within five years, says Met Office

Transgender flag among new emoji approved for 2020

Transgender flag among new emoji approved for 2020

Soaring levels of self-harm in prisons, new figures show

Soaring levels of self-harm in prisons, new figures show

Please login to join discussion
Liz Kendall lying to parliament over DWP PIP cuts
Analysis

Kendall caught misleading parliament four times in 23 minutes over DWP PIP cuts

by Steve Topple
18 May 2025
Israel's famine in Gaza: 93% of the population are now food insecure
Analysis

Israel’s famine in Gaza: 93% of the population are now food insecure

by Alaa Shamali
18 May 2025
المجاعة في غزة: 93% من السكان يعانون الآن من انعدام الأمن الغذائي
Analysis

المجاعة في غزة: 93% من السكان يعانون الآن من انعدام الأمن الغذائي

by Alaa Shamali
18 May 2025
Montage of Jason. Top left: Jason in face mask and with eye mask looking up from bed. Top centre: Jason on his most recent birthday, in hospital with a mask on his head like a party hat. Top right: cannula on Jason's hand. Bottom left: gross-looking mash potato and cauliflower in a bowl. Bottom centre: Multiple water jugs on a table with a cup. Bottom right: Jason's hand swelled up severe ME
Long Reads

A care home is leaving a severe ME patient dangerously dehydrated after multiple other failures

by Hannah Sharland
18 May 2025
On 15 May, Turkey hosted Ukrainian and Russian representatives for peace talks - yet it won't move on peace at home
Analysis

Turkish regime should focus on peace at home rather than posturing about peace abroad

by Ed Sykes
18 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

Liz Kendall lying to parliament over DWP PIP cuts
Analysis
Steve Topple

Kendall caught misleading parliament four times in 23 minutes over DWP PIP cuts

Israel's famine in Gaza: 93% of the population are now food insecure
Analysis
Alaa Shamali

Israel’s famine in Gaza: 93% of the population are now food insecure

المجاعة في غزة: 93% من السكان يعانون الآن من انعدام الأمن الغذائي
Analysis
Alaa Shamali

المجاعة في غزة: 93% من السكان يعانون الآن من انعدام الأمن الغذائي

Montage of Jason. Top left: Jason in face mask and with eye mask looking up from bed. Top centre: Jason on his most recent birthday, in hospital with a mask on his head like a party hat. Top right: cannula on Jason's hand. Bottom left: gross-looking mash potato and cauliflower in a bowl. Bottom centre: Multiple water jugs on a table with a cup. Bottom right: Jason's hand swelled up severe ME
Long Reads
Hannah Sharland

A care home is leaving a severe ME patient dangerously dehydrated after multiple other failures

ADVERTISEMENT
Business
Nathan Spears

Smart Delivery Positions Mr Nang as a Leader in Australia’s Cream Charger Market

Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

Travel
Nathan Spears

Best Destinations In Spain For A Couples Holiday