Matthew Downie, Director of Policy and External Affairs at Crisis, said:

“The National Audit Office (NAO) fully acknowledges what we already knew, that homelessness has got drastically worse since 2010-11. The NAO demonstrates that while some parts of government are actively driving the problem, other parts are left to pick up the pieces, causing misery for thousands more people, as they slip into homelessness. This is in part down to government decisions on Local Housing Allowance, making housing unaffordable for those in greatest need, while councils struggle to rehouse people.

“As the NAO shows, more is being spent leaving people in limbo as they are placed in temporary accommodation, while less is spent on homelessness prevention, social housing and new affordable housing, which makes little sense. While the Homelessness Reduction Act coming into force next year will address this preventing many from becoming homeless in the first place, it must be implemented with cross-government working and a genuinely affordable housing supply. Furthermore, the government must fully assess the impact of its welfare reforms on homelessness. As our Homelessness Monitor series has repeatedly shown, welfare reform has greatly impacted homelessness across the UK.(1)

“While a lack of cross-government strategy has undoubtedly fuelled the rise in homelessness, the forthcoming Homelessness Reduction Taskforce should help to ensure this issue is addressed. But this taskforce must strive to ensure that no part of government is causing problems while other departments are working hard to resolve the situation at hand. Working together is now the only way we will move forward to end homelessness once and for all.

“Crisis is now calling for Parliament to scrutinise these findings through the Public Accounts Committee.”

1. The 2015 Homelessness Monitor England found that 67% of English LAs reported that 2010-2015 welfare reforms had impacted on the level of homelessness in their area. The homelessness monitor is  independent study undertaken by Heriot-Watt University commissioned by Crisis and funded by Crisis and the JRF: https://www.crisis.org.uk/ending-homelessness/homelessness-knowledge-hub/

About Crisis 

Crisis is the national charity for homeless people. We are committed to ending homelessness.     

Every day we see the devastating impact homelessness has on people’s lives. Every year we work side by side with thousands of homeless people, to help them rebuild their lives and leave homelessness behind for good.     

Through our pioneering research into the causes and consequences of homelessness and the solutions to it, we know what it will take to end it.     

Together with others who share our resolve, we bring our knowledge, experience and determination to campaign for the changes that will solve the homelessness crisis once and for all.    

We bring together a unique volunteer effort each Christmas, to bring warmth, companionship and vital services to people at one of the hardest times of the year, and offer a starting point out of homelessness.     

We know that homelessness is not inevitable. We know that together we can end it.