By Grace Martin (editor)
Covid-19 has been catastrophic to many, taking peoples jobs, mental stability and lives- but this is not the only pandemic happening right now. Homelessness has been prevalent for years, but it is rising at an alarming rate. In England and Wales, almost 600 people died whilst homeless in 2017 alone. Living in such lonely and dangerous conditions, homeless people are nearly 10 times more likely to take their own lives than average[1]. This cycle is perpetuated by unhelpful stigmas suggesting that homeless people are lazy, choose to live in this cruel environment or bring it upon themselves, when the reality is that these are some of Britain’s most vulnerable people and are being thrown scorn instead of a lifeline.
It can seem easy to turn a blind eye to issues that don’t directly affect you, especially if you can’t or do not ‘have to’ relate. However, homelessness surpasses individuality and effects all ages, genders and races. Every single year, 150 000 young people reach out for help with nowhere to go, and this number is only increasing[1]. There are currently 3500 homeless veterans in the UK[2], despite the supposed availability of housing for ex-service members, showing that no one is exempt from these vulnerabilities. These could be your parents, children, siblings, friends or even you if life had gone a slightly different way.
This is not a simple issue, rather it is multi-faceted with many different causes. There are structural factors that play into the problem. These are more systematic, such as a low percentage of affordable housing and increasing levels of poverty and unemployment. It is also caused by individual factors which does not mean people unwilling to work (an unfair and harmful trope), but domestic abuse survivors, people with mental health problems and addictions, a lack of help for released prisoners and young adults leaving care etc. In fact, people on the streets are 17 times more likely to have been victims of violence and abuse[3]. Both issues lack preventative measures whilst being simultaneously stripped of reactive action.
Homelessness has become such a huge issue that it appears as though there is little to be done. The government spent £30 million on the areas in the UK that have the highest numbers of rough sleepers[4]. However, according to local governments, the lack of funding these places had received up until this point meant that the money did not alleviate the problem, especially with the number of rough sleepers increasing. Despite some efforts to eradicate homelessness, the number of rough sleepers in the UK has risen by an unbelievable 165% since 2010[1]. For a country that ranks the 5th wealthiest in the world, this is simply not good enough.
With something as vast and historically enduring as homelessness, it is easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in tackling this issue. So, what can we do? Below you can find attached some charities that focus on helping the homeless and are always welcoming donations or sponsors. Also, spreading awareness through campaigning brings more attention to the cause, and encourages social change and government action. Although seemingly small, having conversations with people on the streets can make a huge difference. Showing empathy and humility to someone ostracized from society can help with their mental health, feelings of loneliness and social skills. It is often underestimated how hard it must be for people to reintegrate into society if they have spent years lacking normal social interaction. Right now, some the UK’s most at risk people are left to fend alone in freezing temperatures and a global pandemic. A country is only as good as how it treats its most vulnerable.
- http://www.windsorhomelessproject.org/
- https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/more-than-3500-homeless-veterans-are-slipping-through-the-net-each-year-new-campaign-claims-63401
- https://www.crisis.org.uk/ending-homelessness/about-homelessness/
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-4697624
Picture source: mirror.co.uk
Organisations to help:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/
https://www.charitychoice.co.uk/charities/housing/homeless?onlinedonations=0
UON AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL 