According to government statistics, homelessness in the UK has been steadily rising over the past decade. In 2021, it was estimated that around 227,000 people in England were homeless, which includes rough sleepers, those in temporary accommodation, and people at risk of homelessness. The government reports that in 2020, there were approximately 2,688 people sleeping rough on a typical night. 

The number of deaths among homeless individuals in the UK has been increasing in recent years. Even more alarming figures show that at least 1,474 people died whiles being homeless across the UK in 2023. That's a 12% increase from the previous years!

Limited Government Funding is a major contrubuter to rough sleeping. Shelters and services for the homeless are often underfunded and stretched to their limits. As a result, some shelters require contributions. However, I argue that homeless shelters/services should be fully funded by the government, ensuring that people who are already in vulnerable situations are not burdened with additional costs.

It is absolutely essential to note that according to recent data, the Home Office provides accommodation for thousands of asylum seekers. In 2022, the number of asylum seekers in government-provided accommodation was reported to be over 100,000!

We must press our government for answers as to why British citizens who have fallen prey to homelessness are ignored and left to try to survive on the streets or even tragically die alone. 

I propose that the UK government prioritise funding for British homeless people. For free homeless shelters, better funded rehabilitation centres and more facilities across the UK, with higher staffing levels. I would argue that the uk government are currently not in a position to home over 100,000 migrants, while their own people suffer the consequences of lack of funding to vital, life saving services. 

Countries like Norway, Sweden and Denmark have significanyly lower levels of homeless than the uk. They use strategies to prevent homelessness such as emergency housing, the housing first stratagy (which prioritise providing housing for homeless people without preconditions like sobriety or employment) and supportive services which aim to prevent homelessness for those at risk. 

The British people must be a priority and immediate action must be taken to stop these figures from rising. It is said that you are only 2 pay checks away from being homeless. Homelessness can happen to anyone of us and after engaging with homeless people across the UK, I am left with an ever ending feeling of inadequacy and frustration as to why enough isn't being done for the people who need our support so desperately. This is a crisis we have been normalised to, as we have all grown up with homeless people in our society. However, I want to change this. Homelessness should not be normal. It should not be something we encounter in our local towns and the government should most definitely not be relying on the good will of its citizens to support these individuals for basic human rights like food and shelter, via donations. With enough support and signatures, we could be the start of critical change the government need to make.

Could I kindly suggest, that the next time you see a homeless person, could you please acknowledge their presence with a smile and find out about their situation, or offer them some food. Life is incredibly scary on the streets and a friendly chat from someone from the public can go along way in order to feel seen and cared for. 

'Injustice happens when good people stand by and do nothing'.