“We are human” – Listening to people experiencing rough sleeping
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We believe that everyone should have a safe, secure place to call home, so as World Homeless Day approaches, we’re calling for the changes needed to see an end to homelessness and to protect the dignity of every person.
Our work, both in our services and our campaigns, is rooted in our experience of accompanying and listening to people who access our services.
At our Cornerstone and Red Door services, we recently carried out a survey of 43 people who have experienced rough sleeping which revealed the difficult reality of rough sleeping and highlighted the urgent need for action.
The survey results showed that homelessness is so often a long-term and recurring experience for people.
40 per cent of those we spoke to had been sleeping rough for more than six months, and of these people, two-thirds had done so for over a year. Of the people who had experienced rough sleeping previously, more than 70 percent had experienced three periods of rough sleeping before.
However, we also know that the housing crisis and rising costs of living continue to have a significant impact on people, many of whom may not have accessed services such as ours before, and over half of the people we spoke to were rough sleeping for the first time.
This demonstrates the need for preventative action to stop more people becoming homeless.
Some of the most significant challenges highlighted by people surveyed were safety and finding somewhere to sleep.
One person said: “Just having anywhere that would have been dry and being able to feel safe – that would have been a big thing for me.”
Others spoke of constant fear and the emotional toll of life sleeping rough.
In addition, accessing and navigating support from local councils was another frequently reported difficulty.
Staff at our services support people in accessing the assistance they need and are entitled to, but it is crucial that support from local authorities is more easily accessible, consistent, compassionate and responsive to the needs of each individual.
We know that homelessness can happen to anyone.
People participating in the survey spoke honestly about how they never expected to be sleeping rough.
One respondent said: “I have multiple degrees and have owned my own business. One relationship breakdown, and this is where I am.”
The words of those taking part in this survey remind us that all people deserve to live with dignity and 
have the chance to thrive, regardless of their housing situation or background, and most people we spoke to simply hope for somewhere to live that is safe and secure.
We don’t believe this is too much to ask.
We’re asking for decision makers to listen to these lived experiences and make the changes that are so urgently needed to help people experiencing rough sleeping to transform their lives.
We’re calling for:
- An end to rough sleeping, with every person at risk of rough sleeping being safely accommodated the same day while homelessness applications are being assessed.
- Reforms to the private rented sector to ensure it provides safe, secure, good quality accommodation at an affordable price for all, and for the rates of Local Housing Allowance to be unfrozen and set in line with local rents.
- An increase in the supply of social rented housing, including housing which is accessible.
- An end to the use of unsupported temporary accommodation (bed and breakfasts) for families and single homeless people.
Please join us in standing with people experiencing homelessness and calling for change. Homelessness can happen to anyone, and with the right support and systemic changes, we can bring an end to it.
Take a look at how you can get involved with our campaign by clicking here now.
Thank you to all the people who gave up their time to take part in the survey and share their experiences.
To find out more about our campaigning work and ways you can get involved, click here now.
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