Cost Of Living makes housing issues worse for 70% of emergency helpline callers
A Wirral charity says it's seen rising numbers of 'everyday people' dealing with 'hidden homelessness'
70% of callers to Shelter’s helpline say the cost of living is causing serious housing issues including risk of family homelessness.
The emergency helpline, which offers support to people who have nowhere to stay at night or are at risk of abuse in their home, say the cost of living crisis is making housing problems worse for 7 in 10 callers.
Mike Wescott from homeless charity Wirral Ark told us money issues have led to more struggles with "hidden homelessness".
He said people are: “sofa surfing or they are staying in cars or staying in peoples houses in spare rooms and that affects over 70,000 families in the UK.
"That’s where, with the cost of living crisis, if someone has someone staying with them on a sofa or in a spare room and that person can’t afford the heating or the food for the extra person then unfortunately they sometimes have to find somewhere else and that’s when they come to us.”
Wirral Ark supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in the area.
Since 1991 they have provided accommodation for over 5,000 people and healthcare to over 3,500 people in the community. They also offer emotional support and activities.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says struggling families are buying less food and fuel as prices soar.
Many also predict more are to struggle over the winter months on top of the energy price cap hike, which added around £700 to the typical annual bill.
With more people struggling to keep a roof over their heads Wirral Ark have seen a more “diverse” range of people needing help.
Mike told us: “The cliché of ‘your three pay cheques away from becoming homeless’ is true.
“It’s a lot of people who had a loss of job due to the crisis and people being laid off.
“So it's common people. It’s me, you, everyone.”
Mike says the cost of living is not just affecting people when it comes to housing and heating.
He said: “Food prices keep going and medicine, because a lot of people experiencing homelessness have issues contributing to them becoming homeless.
"So having those medical issues, either physically or mentally, those are a cost that sometimes they can't afford too and then it’s a cycle of those issues becoming more prominent"
The pressure on renters is exacerbating the issues further.
Since 2019, there has been a 17% increase in the number of households that are homeless or at risk of homelessness because their landlord wants to sell or re-let the property.
Mike said: “There's been a 45% increase of renters struggling or falling behind on their rent.
Crisis have put out a study that said the lowest income households are spending 133% of their monthly income on rent, energy and bills.
This is affecting everyone, someone you know may be at risk of homelessness.”
Mike added: “We have a get help page, we have a lot of contact information on there.
If you know someone you know is at risk pass on that information to get them that help and get them in to a safe space.”
If you are at risk of homelessness or you know some one who if and you need help around Merseyside you can also call their 24-hour ‘Always Help Available’ service on 0300 123 2041.