Homeless warning amid unemployment

12 April 2012

The UK is facing a "homelessness timebomb" as a third of people would lose their homes within three months if they lost their job, a survey said.

The poll commissioned by homeless charity Crisis revealed 33% of the working population could face homelessness in as little as three months if they were to join the increasing numbers of unemployed people.

Last week the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) warned that unemployment could peak at 3.25 million - more than 10% of the workforce - if Government bids to kick start the economy were inadequate.

However, any increase in unemployment levels could prove disastrous for those already struggling to meet rent and mortgage repayments, according to the charity.

Crisis said: "If unemployment continues to rise, the knock-on effect of a rise in homelessness could occur very soon."

The survey also revealed that 24% of adults without children said they would look to the local authorities for help in the event of losing their home.

However, Crisis said this expectation was "misplaced" and that local authorities "only have a duty to house people who meet the strict statutory criteria" and that most couples without children do not qualify.

Some 30% of those polled said savings had already been spent and that 60% were now planning to cut back on Christmas spending.

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of Crisis, said: "Recent job losses are creating a homelessness timebomb. The Government must act to help people struggling to pay their mortgage to avoid repossession and move quickly to protect private tenants.

"It must accelerate the building of new social housing and at the same time widen the safety net of support for those facing homelessness. Finally, we must not forget those who are already homeless. They are in danger, once again, of being at the bottom of the pile."

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