As Keir Starmer marked 100 days in Number 10, we’re looking at how his Labour Government is addressing the issues around homelessness and what more needs to be done.
Affordable housing welcomed
St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity welcomes Labour’s plans to build 1.5 million affordable homes within the next five years. This year, our Frontline Worker Survey showed that there is not enough suitable housing available to meet the increased demand that 84% of frontline workers reported. Key findings include:
- 92% of homelessness workers replying to our survey said that they found it difficult or very difficult to obtain ‘suitable’ housing for the people they are supporting
- 93% of frontline workers also reported that it was difficult or very difficult to obtain private rented accommodation for the people they support
These shocking statistics highlight the need to prioritise affordable housing. However, it is currently unclear where the Government will find the funding for their targets. New research by Savills, the National Housing Federation and the Home Builders Federation has found that the Government will miss their housing target by up to 475,000 homes without pledging further funding.
Investment in the homelessness sector needed
We know that having more affordable housing is only a small part of the solution. The homelessness workforce is under extreme and growing pressure. In our annual Frontline Worker Survey, frontline workers told us of their struggles:
- 47% found themselves spending their own money on work-related costs such as travel, training or buying a coffee or sandwich when meeting a client
- 51% of frontline homelessness workers said that they always or often feel at risk of burnout
- 64% of frontline workers feel that their role has a negative impact on their wellbeing
It’s clear that more needs to be done to support frontline workers across the UK. Therefore, we’d welcome more investment in the homelessness sector to ensure the right support is available to move people out of homelessness and effectively prevent homelessness from occurring in the first place.
Abolishing Section 21 evictions
In the King’s Speech on 17 July 2024, Labour pledged to overhaul the private rental sector through the proposed Renters’ Rights Bill. If passed, this will see the scrapping of Section 21 notices, or ‘no fault’ evictions.
This is welcome news, as it will give private renters more protection and security in their homes. No one in a civilised society should be uprooted, and forced to move their lives like millions have had to do in the way permitted under current laws.
A new homelessness taskforce
In August 2024, housing secretary Angela Rayner announced the establishment of a new taskforce to tackle homelessness. This will include a long-term strategy to end homelessness across the UK, which has this year reached its highest level on record.
We’re pleased to see the new Government taking this issue seriously with this new cross-government taskforce and we hope it will lead to lasting change.
Response to anti-immigration riots
This summer, the UK witnessed a string of far-right, anti-immigration protests and riots which left many feeling unsafe. The new Labour Government acted swiftly to the disorder, deploying a “standing army” of police officers to target rioters, leading to over 1,200 arrests.
We applaud Labour’s handling of these riots, as we believe that everyone deserves to feel safe in their own home. Refugees often face unique and significant challenges such as substandard housing or inadequate accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This is in addition to the trauma they may have experienced in their home country which they have been forced to leave.
A good start, but more needs to be done
With new affordable housing targets, better protection for private renters, and a swift response to far-right riots, there have been some promising signs in Keir Starmer’s first 100 days in office.
The Government must ensure enough funding is available to meet their affordable housing targets. By investing more in the homelessness sector, frontline workers will be better equipped to support those facing homelessness.
Further reading:
- Government to miss 1.5m homes target by half a million homes without funding and policy intervention, industry bodies warn, National Housing Federation (11/10/24)
- Landmark reforms to give greater security for 11 million renters, gov.uk (11/09/24)
- Angela Rayner to lead Labour taskforce to tackle homelessness: ‘This will get us back on track’, Big Issue (21/08/24)
