Crisis Becomes a Landlord: A Bold Move Against Rising Homelessness

Crisis, a leading homelessness charity, is embarking on a historic shift as it plans to become a landlord for the very first time, driven by an urgent need for housing solutions amidst the escalating crisis of homelessness in England. With reports indicating that nearly 300,000 families and individuals are grappling with severe homelessness—marking a 21% increase since last year—Crisis CEO Matt Downie emphasized that buying housing stock is now the only feasible option available.

The charity aims to purchase 100 homes in London and Newcastle over the next three years, hoping to eventually expand this initiative nationwide with a goal of acquiring at least 1,000 homes within the next decade. This bold initiative was prompted by a dire situation where local councils are struggling to manage waiting lists of over a million people for social housing due to a longstanding shortage and backlog in services.

Downie pointed out the historical context of the crisis, noting a systematic sell-off of social housing beginning in the 1980s that has continued under successive governments. He stressed the need for a significant expansion of social housing to address the mounting demands. Despite the government’s promises of investing over £39bn for social housing over the next decade, including the delivery of around 300,000 homes, concerns remain about the percentage allocated to vital affordable housing.

Crisis’ research also sheds light on the invisible homeless population, revealing that approximately 189,000 individuals are facing dire living conditions overlooked by official statistics, such as rough sleeping and living in temporary, unsuitable accommodations. These conditions lead to unhealthy living situations and loss of stability, significantly affecting individuals’ education and social integration.

The government has stated its commitment to tackling homelessness through various strategies, including investing significantly in services and reforming eviction laws. However, as the crisis deepens, the charity urges for more effective measures and immediate action to ensure that vulnerable populations have access to safe housing instead of resorting to extraordinary measures like Crisis’ new landlord initiative.