Single Homeless Project is calling for immediate Government action as a staggering new analysis reveals that one Londoner is forced into homelessness every 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
As the largest homeless charity dedicated to helping Londoners in crisis, it calls for the Government to unfreeze the Local Housing Allowance, linking it annually to local property rental rates, and increase the benefit cap accordingly so that low-income private renters get the full support they need.
Data analysis from the charity paints a grim picture. Over the past four years, homelessness in London has worsened at a dramatic pace—from one person every 11 minutes (2021) to 10 minutes (2022) to 8 and a half minutes (2023) and now just seven and a half minutes.
If action isn’t taken now, more than 38,000 more people could be forced into homelessness by June 2025, when the next spending review takes place.
Unfreezing futures
Liz Rutherfoord, Cheif Executive at Single Homeless Project, says:
“How many more years do we need to publish this appalling data showing that homelessness in London is getting progressively and significantly worse before the Government acts? Our city is in absolute crisis and a disaster for every individual experiencing homelessness. We need immediate solutions as well as the longer-term ones. Unfreezing the Local Housing Allowance would prevent homelessness for thousands of Londoners and help those stuck in temporary accommodation to move on into private rented property. The new Government is repeating the same mistakes of the old one, freezing this vital lifeline and pushing people to live on a knife-edge.”
Unfreezing the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) right now would mean:
- Preventing homelessness for Londoners who are feeling the squeeze, many of whom are pushed into rent arrears and face eviction
- Helping Londoners stuck in temporary accommodation and hostels to afford to move into private rented accommodation which would free up space to help more people off the streets
The LHA determines the amount someone can receive in housing benefit. They are meant to be set to a level that allows people to afford the cheapest 30% of properties on the rental market in the local area. But data shows that only 5% of London’s private rental listings in the capital are affordable to households whose housing benefit is limited by the LHA.
The freeze forces many into rent arrears and eviction and is a major driver of homelessness in the capital. It also means that Londoners living in homeless hostels and temporary accommodation are often stuck there for months, unable to afford the rent in a private rented property. This backlog blocks vital bed spaces needed to help Londoners off the streets.
Trapped by the system
Tadhg Mockler manages one of Single Homeless Project’s emergency accommodation services in North West London. The service is designed to help people experiencing homelessness to move on into private rented properties or social housing within 28 days.
He says: “Hands down, the biggest barrier I face in helping people who are ready to move into the private rented sector is the low level of Local Housing Allowance and benefit cap. And I’m really worried about next year when the property rates go up and the allowance stays frozen. It’s so frustrating watching someone’s potential stagnate for months because of a broken system.
In North West London, people waiting to move on into the private rented sector are entitled to £1,096 a month in housing allowance. In reality, they only receive £1,021 because of the benefit cap. The cheapest monthly rent I’ve found is £1,100 for a one bed with shared facilities. The maths doesn’t add up and people aren’t being given a fair chance. It is a system that strips people of their dignity and sets them up to fail.”
Real lives on pause
Ian, 61, is one of those Londoners. He spent his career as an antiques dealer in Europe, but now he’s stuck in emergency accommodation.
Ian said: “Single Homeless Project has helped me get back on my feet. I’m ready to move on and rebuild by life, but it’s been three months and counting. I’m proactive, I’m going to viewings, I walk everywhere to save any cash I have, but when I look at the budget, none of these places are affordable. I’m ready to work again, but I need that stable base first. I’m staying positive, but it is frustrating being here when I’m ready to live my life again”.
It is estimated that one in fifty Londoners (more than 183,000) are homeless and living in temporary accommodation with boroughs collectively spending £114 million every month on temporary accommodation. This is the highest-ever level of recorded homelessness in the capital.
This Christmas, Single Homeless Project is asking for donations to help Londoners through the winter and leave homelessness behind for good. To donate and find out how you can help a Londoner, visit www.action.shp.org.uk.
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