Rough Sleeping in the UK: Are We Doing Enough?

In recent times, the U.K. government has pledged to eradicate rough sleeping in England by 2027. However, despite substantial funding and the implementation of a Rough Sleeping Strategy, progress in reducing the number of individuals sleeping rough has been sluggish. Critics contend that more needs to be done to tackle the root causes of homelessness and that the U.K. trails behind the efforts of other nations.

Rough Sleeping in Europe:

Compared to other countries, the U.K. has one of the highest rates of homelessness in Europe. In 2020, approximately 4,266 individuals were found sleeping rough on any given night in England, a figure that has remained elevated despite government initiatives to address the issue. In stark contrast, Finland has virtually eradicated rough sleeping.

Finland’s accomplishments in decreasing homelessness are primarily attributed to its Housing First policy, which furnishes homeless individuals with stable, permanent homes and offers additional support to help them address any issues that may have contributed to their homelessness. This method contrasts with the U.K.’s emphasis on emergency accommodation and temporary supported housing, which many argue do not offer a lasting solution to homelessness.

Other nations have also adopted a more proactive approach to addressing the root causes of homelessness. For instance, the Dutch government initiated a programme to construct 100,000 affordable homes annually in response to their housing crisis. Likewise, the Canadian government has enacted a national housing strategy that incorporates measures to expand the supply of affordable housing and reduce homelessness.

Could the UK Do More?

Opponents of the U.K.’s approach maintain that the government must tackle the underlying causes of homelessness, such as poverty and inequality, and enhance the availability of affordable housing. Furthermore, while the Government’s Strategy signifies progress, some argue it lacks ambition, and the government must embrace a more comprehensive and holistic approach to combat homelessness.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also underscored the inadequacies of the U.K.’s response to homelessness. The government launched the ‘Everyone In’ campaign during the pandemic, offering emergency accommodation for homeless individuals. However, critics argue this was a short-term measure, and more must be done to provide long-term solutions.

In conclusion, although the U.K. government’s aim of eradicating rough sleeping by 2027 is praiseworthy, the reduction in the number of individuals sleeping rough has been gradual. Moreover, the U.K. lags behind other countries, such as Finland, in adopting a Housing First approach to homelessness and addressing the root causes of homelessness. Critics assert that the government must adopt a more ambitious and comprehensive approach, including augmenting the supply of affordable housing and addressing poverty and inequality.

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References

• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. (2021). Rough sleeping snapshot in England: Autumn 2020.
• The Guardian. (2019). Finland has virtually eliminated rough sleeping.
• Sardelis, D., & Bahgat, K. (2020). A Tale of Three Cities: Comparing Approaches to Homelessness in Vancouver, San Francisco, and Helsinki. The Brookings Institution.
• Wallis, C. (2019). Housing First in the United Kingdom: A Review. Crisis.
• World Economic Forum. (2019). The Dutch are building more houses per person than any country in Europe.
• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. (2021). National Housing Strategy.
• House of Commons Library. (2021). The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on homelessness and the private rented sector.