Academic Luke Davies, who researches the history of homelessness at University College London, suggests that the Conservative Government's new Housing and Planning Bill is going to widen the social inequality gap even more, leaving society's most vulnerable people without shelter.
Recent homelessness figures show that the number of households registering as homeless in 2016 rose by six percent in England — and 10 percent in London, compared with last year.
New stats show 14,470 households accepted as homeless from Oct-Dec 2015 – rise of 6% for England & 10% for London https://t.co/p8ZvVa7bTE
— Crisis (@crisis_uk) March 23, 2016
And these figures are expected to soar once the Housing Bill comes into effect. Councils have warned that more people will end up homeless as a direct result of the bill. 90 percent of English local authorities surveyed said their housing supplies for social tenants would significantly drop.
At the end of last year there were 69,140 households in temporary accommodation, 12% higher than end of 2014. > more soon
— Crisis (@crisis_uk) March 23, 2016
Findings from the Local Government Association (LGS) survey also reveal that local councils are concerned the bill would make housing waiting lists even longer.
The bill aims to promote so-called starter homes and boost home-ownership, but critics of the bill say it will lead to the loss of 80,000 council houses in the next four years and drive people into the expensive private rented sector leaving them with little or no opportunity to save for a home of their own.
A government spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said:
"The sale of empty high value council assets will enable receipt to be reinvested in building new homes that better meet local needs as well as supporting home ownership through right to buy."
But the Local Government Association said more affordable rented accommodation was needed — not less.
"With 68,000 people currently living in temporary accommodation, annual homelessness spending of at least US$473 million (£330 million) and more than a million more on council waiting lists, it is clear that only an increase of all types of housing — including those for affordable or social rent — will solve our housing crisis", councilor Peter Box, LGS spokesman said.
The Housing Bill will be scrutinized in the House of Lords on April 11, 2016; all members will be given another opportunity to make any changes to the bill.
A #MarchWithTheHomeless gathering will take place in Whitehall in protest of the treatment of homeless people in Britain on April 15, 2016.
