Cuts Are Pushing Up Number of Rough Sleepers

The first signs of a homelessness crisis in England's towns and cities are emerging, with increases in rough sleeping, street drinking, crime and antisocial behaviour as a result of swingeing cuts to hostel and housing services, according to a new report.  Charities have warned that they are struggling to keep the lid on spiralling demand for shelter and support among homeless people, while grappling with average funding cuts of 15%, the loss of one in 10 staff, and the promise of more cuts to come in the coming months.  More projects are refusing to work with difficult clients because they cannot ensure the safety of staff. More than half of all homeless projects saw funding reduced during 2011-12, with 55% saying they faced further cuts. It is also becoming harder to move homeless people into work and long-term, stable accommodation because of funding reductions, housing shortages, benefit cuts and the deteriorating jobs market, says the report.  Of those projects which faced cuts, 52% said they had seen an increase in rough sleeping as a result, 48% reported more antisocial behaviour, and 41% a rise in street drinking. A third said they had witnessed an increase in crime.  Download a copy of the report from the Homeless Link website.