- Over a quarter of UK adults (28%) said they have felt worried about losing their home within the last six months
- Over a third of UK adults (38%) said they have felt worried about losing their job within the last six months
- Over two thirds (68%) of UK adults think there will be an increase in homelessness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Half of UK adults (51%) think that more affordable housing is the most important long-term solution to ending homelessness
- 81% of UK adults think that homelessness can happen to anyone
New research* conducted by Abri, one of the south’s largest housing providers, has revealed insights into the nation’s attitudes to homelessness and the strain on home and job security as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Released ahead of World Homeless Day, which takes place on Saturday 10 October, the survey found that over two thirds (68%) of UK adults think there will be an increase in homelessness as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and over a quarter of UK adults (28%) said they have felt worried about losing their home within the last six months.
Ralph Facey, Executive Director of Partnerships and Projects at Abri said: “We believe everyone has the right to a warm and safe home, and sadly it’s no surprise to see that fears of homelessness have grown over the last six months. With winter ahead of us, the UK is at a pivotal moment to make sure everyone has a safe place to call home. Housing providers like Abri have a major role to play, which is why we’re continuing to invest in our homelessness prevention measures and will continue to reach out to partner organisations to help us develop our response. We will help more people into work and education and build more affordable housing.”
As well as uncovering concerns over home and job security, the research also revealed the nation’s attitudes towards homelessness. Notably, 81% of UK adults think that homelessness can happen to anyone, although only 62% thought that sleeping on a friend’s sofa was a form of homelessness. And, when asked about how they felt about the current levels of homelessness in the UK, the top answers were ‘concerned’ (46%), ‘sympathetic’ (40%) and ‘powerless’ (28%).
“I think the COVID-19 pandemic has opened a lot of people’s eyes to how quickly a person’s situation can change,” said Michelle Dawson, Managing Director of Abri’s Community Services Company. “Homelessness can happen to anyone. It can take many forms and isn’t always obvious. While rough sleeping is the most visible and well-known form of homelessness, there are thousands of individuals and families experiencing ‘hidden’ homelessness through ‘sofa surfing’ or living in temporary accommodation. This hidden form of homelessness is often difficult to track, making it impossible to know the true number of people struggling.”
Opinions into the causes of homelessness also provided some interesting insights. When asked what they thought the most common causes of homelessness are, job loss (55%), drug and alcohol addiction (52%), and eviction or loss of tenancy (34%), mental health issues (33%) and a lack of affordable/social housing (33%) were the most common reasons suggested by UK adults.
Only one in five people (19%) think that homelessness can be caused by someone escaping physical or mental abuse at home, and only 14% think it can be caused by a relationship breakdown.
“While homelessness can be caused by a multitude of reasons, it’s concerning to see that only 19% of people think that homelessness can be caused by someone escaping physical or mental abuse at home,” said Ralph. “The reality is that, for many people, this can be a major cause of homelessness. This is why Abri and other housing providers make considerable efforts to provide support and safe, secure homes to individuals and families who are suffering from abuse.”
