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Ealing Advice Service, lead by Ealing Mencap, has found that since 2021 there has been 3 times as many homelessness enquiries. Read that again. In the last 3 years, the amount of homelessness enquiries has tripled in Ealing.
In 2023, Ealing News stated that across Ealing, 2.6 per 100,000 people were estimated to be homeless which is nearly 50% higher than the national average.
The Ealing Advice Service received research commissioned by Ealing council. From this we are able to see that there is a significant increase in the rate of people facing homelessness, the highest ethnic groups of people sleeping rough are Asian and UK and most people who are homeless have no institutional history.
Temporary Accommodation
In addition to the rise in the numbers of rough sleepers, there has been an increase in the number of families in B&B and commercial hotels. This type of temporary accommodation is not only unsuitable for families but this is also very costly for the council.
Is there a cause?
The study revealed that the primary reason for homelessness stems from the following:
- Ealing Council’s previous reliance on public landlords to provide affordable accommodation.
- The announcement of the Renters Reform Bill (proposing the abolition of ‘no fault’ Section 21 evictions) in May 2023 which prompted private landlords to evict tenants while they were still able to.
- The cost of living crisis/increased mortgage interest rates meaning many landlords are evicting low income tenants or raising rents to unaffordable levels, passing the mortgage rate increases on to their tenants.
The knock on effects of rising prices has been devastating and the statistics show this.
The ‘Addressing the Housing Crisis’ presentation shows case studies which demonstrate the severity of this issue e.g –
“A single parent with a child aged 3-4 paying for full time childcare would have to earn £60,000 to afford the average two bed flat in the borough and cover essentials.”
Is this expectation seriously acceptable?
Call to Action
As a charity that supports individuals and families in Ealing, we are constantly reminded of the threat people face to homelessness. We are worried about the future of our Borough and those that live here. There is no time to waste, we must call to action.
Raise awareness of the homelessness crisis in London and Ealing
Raise awareness that affordable housing needs to be high up on the agenda during elections. Ealing’s residents should remind their councillors and MPs that action needs to be taken.
Support Ealing Advice Service to prevent homelessness –
Demand for housing advice has increased in Ealing, but council funding remained broadly the same over the past 4 years and reduced by 16% in the 4 years prior to that, so any additional support from the community and donors is greatly appreciated.
Ealing Mencap’s Director of Advice, Matt Coulam, says:
As the lead partner in Ealing Advice Service, we can see the impact that the housing crisis is having on the borough’s residents as a whole, but also people who have Learning Disabilities, Learning Difficulties, Autism and their families and carers.
Housing is the highest priority issue for families with children who have additional needs – our Parents Support Service works with homeless families placed in inappropriate temporary accommodation including hostels and B&Bs where there are issues such as; have to share bathrooms and kitchens, overcrowding, disputes with other people staying in the premises and problems noise and cleanliness.
We have also seen adults who have Learning Disabilities facing homelessness and being placed out of borough without fully understanding the process. Adults who have been living with elderly carers but have had to move when their carer has passed away or is no longer able to support them are being left unable to find somewhere affordable and people who are unable to read, write or handle their finances or correspondence are repeatedly facing eviction due to rent arrears.
This is unacceptable. Ealing Mencap cannot resolve the housing crisis overnight; however we can campaign to ensure cases like these are highlighted to our politicians and councillors. Help us to continue to provide advice and support, preventing people from becoming homeless before they reach crisis point.
Share this blog to raise awareness.
