10 facts about homelessness in England | New Hope

Over recent years, there’s been an undeniable increase in the number of people facing homelessness. Whilst the impact of homelessness can be devastating, it can often be hard for people to truly understand the difficulties of being in this situation. For this reason, we’ve put together 10 facts about homelessness to help increase awareness around the challenges of life without a home.

How many people are affected by homelessness in England?

In England, more than 274,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness. This means that one in every 206 people in the country are living without a stable home. Of course, it’s important to remember that these figures could be even higher, as many people are missed from homelessness records by being out of view. 

Recent statistics from Shelter also reveal that London has the highest rates of homelessness, with one in 53 people currently without a home in the capital. Outside of London, Luton in Bedfordshire has the second-highest rate.

The number of people living on the streets has also risen steadily within the last year. Sadly, more than 11,000 people were sleeping rough between April 2020 and March 2021 alone — a 3% increase on the previous year. In addition, new figures for December 2021 suggest that there are currently around 2,700 people sleeping rough on any given night. 

In Watford, we are now seeing an increase in the number of people needing our support compared to before the pandemic, with 621 individuals coming to New Hope in 2020-21, up from 572 in the previous year. Since April 2021, there has been an increase of over 50% in numbers of people new to homelessness accessing New Hope’s drop-in services.

Are there more men or women facing homelessness?

In Autumn 2020, official rough sleeping statistics indicated that of the 2,688 people sleeping rough, only 14% were women. Furthermore, only 12% of the homeless deaths registered in 2020 were among women, according to ONS statistics. 

However, women are more likely to seek hidden places to sleep, due to a fear of abuse or harassment, and for this reason, many are missed from official statistics and are often not spotted by volunteers or charities.

In a typical year at New Hope, 80% of people accessing our services are male. 

What is the average age of those experiencing homelessness?

Statistics show that the majority of people facing homelessness are 25-65 years old. Despite this, homelessness can affect anyone, no matter what their age. Our Tenancy Sustainment Team is now working with families with children in temporary accommodation.

A report by Shelter suggests that 183 children sadly lose their homes every single day, with an alarmingly high number of 126,000 children estimated to be currently homeless. Undergoing the stress and trauma of homelessness at such a young age can be extremely difficult. Moreover, these children are far more likely to experience mental health issues in the future.

What are the top causes of homelessness?

From economic factors, through to unexpected life changes, there are many reasons for homelessness. But over recent years, the eviction from a privately rented home has been the top cause. Short contracts, the selling of properties or increased rents can all result in sudden or unfair evictions. 

Unexpected life events can also leave people without a stable home. Whether it's the end of a relationship, domestic abuse, a family death, losing a job or dealing with substance abuse, the stability of a home can all too quickly be lost. No two situations are ever the same, which is why every person dealing with homelessness should receive support tailored to their specific needs. 

How many homeless people die each year in England?

In 2020, there were an estimated 688 homeless deaths in England and Wales. Even more worryingly, the average life expectancy among those experiencing homelessness was 45.9 years for a male and 41.6 years for a female. These shocking statistics, provided by ONS, indicate just how dangerous sleeping rough can be. From mental health, through to physical health, homelessness takes its toll. 

Each year in our annual service, we take a moment to remember by name the individuals known to us who have passed away.

What are the most common health issues faced by those experiencing homelessness? 

Homelessness can make it incredibly difficult to stay physically healthy. Cold conditions, little food, poor hygiene and disrupted sleep can lead to a rapid decline in health. Often, physical illnesses will go untreated, due to inaccessible healthcare. It’s for this reason that at least one-third of homeless people die from conditions that could have been easily treated.

In addition, homelessness has huge impacts on a person’s mental health. The constant stress, loneliness and trauma can lead to problems such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and schizophrenia. In 2020, there were 74 suicide deaths registered amongst homeless people — a figure that demonstrates the desperate need for an increase in mental health support. 

How has Covid-19 impacted homelessness?

As the Covid-19 pandemic swept across the country, a new wave of people found themselves at risk of losing their home. As businesses closed, jobs were lost and rents increased, more and more people were forced out onto the streets. Plus, many of those who were sofa-surfing or living in squats were unable to remain in their accommodations. 

However, there were some positives amidst the darkness. The “Everyone In” scheme, provided across all three nations, aimed to find emergency accommodation for anyone who was homeless or at risk of homelessness. During this short period of time, the government estimated that 37,000 people were helped. New Hope was able to help over 100 people to access “Everyone In”.

What are the different types of homelessness? 

When discussing homelessness, many people only consider those who are sleeping rough on the streets. However, there are, in fact, several different types of homelessness. These include:

Rough sleeping — this is the most dangerous type of homelessness, with those sleeping rough 17 times more likely to experience violence compared to the general population. Rough sleeping could mean sleeping on pavements, benches, bus shelters or even in waste bins — anything that can be found out on the streets. 

In temporary accommodation — temporary or emergency accommodation includes shelters, hostels, private housing, social housing and B&Bs. Each type of accommodation provides varying facilities and will offer either short-term or long-term stays. 

Hidden homelessness — this term is used to describe those who are living in squats, sleeping at a friend's house or living in places such as cars or sheds. The most recent figures from Crisis estimate that there are around 71,400 sofa-surfers across the UK. 

What services do homeless charities offer?

There are a large number of charities around the country, working to prevent homelessness and to help those affected by it. At New Hope, we offer three main categories of support: intervention services, recovery services and prevention services.

Our intervention services aim to offer support to anyone currently experiencing street homelessness. We offer a 24/7 emergency helpline, a street outreach service and a friendly advice centre. In addition, our recovery services aim to help transform the lives of those who have faced homelessness. From emergency accommodation, through to our valued HopeCollege and tenancy sustainment team our charity works hard to help people find their way into stable homes. 

What are the best ways to help those experiencing homelessness? 

The good news is that there are plenty of ways you can help. Perhaps you’d like to make a small donation, start a fundraising event or even volunteer – there are so many different ways to get involved:

  • Get in touch with professionals if you notice someone sleeping rough. 

  • Engage in a friendly conversation with those facing homelessness.

  • Give a hot/cool drink and a snack to those sleeping on the streets.

  • Donate clothes or toiletries to homelessness services, such as The Haven.

Hilary Garcia