Homeless Charities in Suffolk are struggling to cope with increasing demand for their services
This follows a report earlier this week that claims a government target to end homelessness in England by next year won't be met
Last updated 16th Nov 2023
A homeless charity in Ipswich says they are seeing an increase in the amount of people needing their help due to the cost of living crisis.
This follows a report earlier this week that claims a government target to end homelessness in England by next year won't be met, with more than 3-thousand rough sleepers on the streets last year.
How the cost of living crisis is increasing homelessness
Jools Ramsey-Palmer is the chief executive officer of Ipswich Housing Action Group (iHAG).
She told us a part of the reason there is an increase in demand is due to everyone feeling the struggles due to the Cost of Living Crisis. Money is stretching less and less as prices remain high. "I don't think there's anybody in Suffolk or indeed in the UK who's not affected by both the cost of living and the cost of housing crisis."
Because of this, they are seeing more people need their services, but a problem they are facing is there is not enough accommodation available to the point now, Jooles described it as "Critically low."
"It's not only a cost of living crisis but also a cost of housing crisis. People are struggling to be able to afford mortgages and rent.
"The demographic of who we're seeing is that it is literally affecting every single household."
"Cost of living here is high, property prices are high, private rental prices are high."
Not enough homes
Jooles explained that many private landlords in the area have decided to sell their rental properties as the cost of managing them has increased.
This means tenants have had to move out. With more private landlords selling, there are fewer properties available but a higher demand, which is then pushing the price up further, making renting unaffordable for many.
And it's not just private landlords, Jools told us social housing is in short supply as "Ipswich Boroughs council" like many councils "have sold off a great amount of their stock."
Not enough money coming into the sector
Jooles explained to us she is continually searching for grants for the service, so that they can help the people in need to the best of their abilities.
She explained that a lot of the accommodation they have available at the moment is shared, which is not suitable for everybody.
In an ideal world, they'd like to be able to provide someone with "their own home, with the dignity and respect of their own front door."
Jooles went on to say that fixing homelessness isn't just about providing a roof for someone to stay under and that there is a lot of long-term support needed.
Jooles told us about some of the things they try to help with.
"People who have experienced the trauma of homelessness" people with substance abuse problems, people who were in unsafe circumstances, getting jobs and their finances under control.
..."It's admirable to say we can fix it inside two years. It's not going to happen."