How Universal Credit Is Fuelling Britain’s Homelessness Crisis

Government welfare reforms are fuelling a rise in homelessness in towns and cities across the country, an Observer investigation has found. Interviews with homelessness charities across England reveal a support system in crisis as the rollout of universal credit and freezes to local housing allowance rates put even basic accommodation beyond the means of many. One shelter said universal credit was a factor in a third of its clients ending up in its care. The Commons public accounts committee said universal credit was responsible for increased debt, rent arrears and food bank use.But it has also emerged that it is a significant contributor to both “invisible” homelessness – such as people “sofa-surfing” or living in emergency accommodation – and rough sleeping. Read more on the Observer website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/27/universal-credit-fuels-homeless-crisis