Homelessness and Covid-19
- The UK government’s Everyone In scheme has protected more than 37,000 people during the pandemic. As of January 2021, 11,263 people remained in emergency accommodation and 26,167 people had been moved on to permanent accommodation through the scheme.
- The government has promised 3,300 long-term homes will be made available to help rough sleepers protected from the virus.
- In Scotland, £50m has been spent by the Scottish Government on hardship funding and £22m on the Scottish Welfare Fund to tackle homelessness during the Coid-19 pandemic. Additionally, more than £875,000 has been spent providing support for people who are living with no recourse to public funds and cannot claim benefits.
- The Welsh Government initially spent £10m on providing accommodation to over 800 people at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This was followed up with £20m to ensure that people did not have to return to the streets once the pandemic has ended.
- A move away from temporary accommodation is being funded by a £50m investment as part of Phase 2 of Wales’ homelessness action plan.
Homelessness and health
- Three quarters of homeless people quizzed in a 2014 Homeless Link survey reported a physical health problem
- Meanwhile, 80 per cent of respondents reported some form of mental health issue, while 45 per cent had been officially diagnosed with a condition
- 39 per cent said they take drugs or are recovering from a drug problem, while 27 per cent have or are recovering from an alcohol problem.
- 35 per cent had been to A&E and 26 per cent had been admitted to hospital in the six months before they took part in the survey
What do people think about homelessness
A Poll from Ipsos Mori and the Centre for Homelessness Impact, published in April 2021, set out to understand the British public’s perception of homelessness.
The research found just under nine in ten people agreed homelessness is a serious problem in the UK and almost three quarters said they believe it does not get the attention it deserves. The Big Issue Liam Geraghty 24 Dec 2021
Meryl Praill
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
