TWO CRISES: HOMELESS IN A PANDEMIC
Experiences from those at the centre of the story
Lockdown saw a renewed focus on homelessness, as it appeared that the UK's homeless crisis might be solved for good. But, time has revealed that for those on the frontline, there is still much uncertainty.
Between March and June, hotels were opened for vulnerable people under Secretary of State for Housing, Robert Jenrick MP's "Everyone In" policy. According to government figures, around 15,000 vulnerable people known to authorities were moved into safe accommodation over the course of the pandemic.
For some, like "Heathrow homeless" activist and creative Paul Atherton, lockdown provided a "moment of levelling" unlike any he had seen before. He argues that "people who were spending money like water... were suddenly brought down to a situation where most people, whether you're homeless, or on benefits, or whether you're sick... had been existing for the last 30 to 40 years".
Credit: Samuel Q Green, the Noun Project
Credit: Samuel Q Green, the Noun Project
Trevor Pickup is the CEO of The Society of St James in Hampshire.
"I've been doing my job for 27 years and I've never seen anything like this".
Trevor Pickup, The Society of St James CEO.
Trevor Pickup, The Society of St James CEO.
He suggests that "it's startling that when the government really wants to resolve homelessness, then it can be done in 2 or 3 weeks... I've been doing my job for 27 years and I've never seen anything like this."
Infographic displaying a timeline of funding and government actions over lockdown. More details can be found on the GOV.UK website.
However, as lockdown has progressed, it appears that many homeless people have "slipped through the net". Nottingham City Councillor Linda Woodings suggests that it's not just the homeless who have been forgotten, but also those who work to support them: "they got 'Everyone In'... but then they sort of washed their hands of the entire issue".
Despite the intention at the start of lockdown to bring those known as homeless into hotels, reports of rough sleeping rose during the pandemic. This was often due to issues like relationship breakdown, or the fact that many critical support services had to close.
New research from the Greater London Authority has found that many of these people were homeless for the first time.
Infographic displaying the number of rough sleepers in London increased from the same period in 2019.
As the leisure industry has reopened, most temporary residents have been moved on: either placed into permanent accommodation or returned to the streets. Across the country, homeless people and the organisations that support them face a range of challenges, depending on the population, cost of housing and availability of services.
Over the coming months, charities are only expecting the cases of homelessness to rise further.
LOCKDOWN
Homeless people and organisations during the height of the pandemic
For homeless charities and housing associations like Chichester-based Stonepillow, the start of lockdown was a real "logistical exercise".
According to Hilary Bartle, the organisation's CEO, the main challenge was "keeping them off the street, because a lot of people struggle with being confined and conforming to rules of hotels and hostels".
Hilary Bartle, Stonepillow's CEO.
Hilary Bartle, Stonepillow's CEO.
Stonepillow worked closely with the local Butlins and the Travelodge Hotel, setting up a food preparation and distribution service which "turned into a huge community exercise" in the rural city.
Life inside the homeless hotels
Despite the challenges, Hilary admitted that "actually, what we then started seeing was some amazing outcomes for the individuals who've been placed into services... it's been quite a humbling exercise to see these people really stay, and to become well, and to become healthy, to actually start to have aspirations about their future."
She argues that this is especially rewarding when "many of these people have been really difficult to engage with in the past".
Travelodge Chichester.
Travelodge Chichester.
To help staff to provide better support for homeless clients, Stonepillow changed their way of working "quite significantly", using a trauma-informed approach. This has meant that "in our hostels we've been able to move people though our hostels and into supported accommodation to free up spaces to move [more] people in".
In Nottingham, Linda Woodings has noticed one critical benefit for homeless people moving into hotels: their improved use of the health service.
Councillor Linda Woodings discusses how hotel lockdown has improved homeless people's health benefits.
However, not all homeless residents found lockdown to be a success. While most hotels maintained their no-eviction policy to a high level, some residents could not remain inside for the entire period. Behavioural issues, for example, meant that across the country many had to return to the streets.
Nonetheless, many outcomes for homeless people from hotel lockdown have been positive.
Ollie's story
Ollie, homeless.
Ollie has been homeless in West Sussex for 6 years, and was brought into the Travelodge hotel at the start of the pandemic. After a couple of weeks he was moved into Stonepillow's Chichester hostel.
He admits that the minute he was placed into the Travelodge he felt security and safety in an otherwise "scary" situation: "being around people that couldn't really give a monkeys about social distancing was quite difficult".
"I'm now around people that I can interact with and feel safe around but... its meant that people can't really see their families, they can't interact with friends, they can't go anywhere. I suffer from mental health issues and that has really impacted me."
Nevertheless, as life returns to normal, Ollie hopes his lockdown experience will bring about permanent change.
Ollie, homeless, talks about what he wants to happen post-lockdown.
Patricia's story
Patricia, homeless.
Patricia was born and raised in Chichester but recently moved to Belgium where she experienced a relationship breakdown. She became homeless and moved back to England after lockdown had begun.
"Initially I was frightened of coming here because I knew there were going to be countless homeless... but when I came here and experienced first hand how wonderful the staff are, how wonderful even the fellow homeless people are, it made me feel more positive, more optimistic".
Having experienced lockdown in Belgium and in England, she praised the UK's response to Coronavirus: "I have to say that in my experience, the UK have been so organised and so- it's like we've come together as a community... it makes you feel safe".
"When I came over I was so withdrawn into myself, because of my experience that I went through, I was so nervous that I thought Britain would be like 'nope, you've been far too long, we don't want you'". Feeling welcomed was "overwhelming".
For Patricia, hotel lockdown has given her an opportunity she might not have had otherwise.
Patricia, homeless, talks about how hotel lockdown has helped her.
Shaun's story
Shaun, homeless.
Shaun has lived in Chichester for around 8 years, having grown up in London.
He became homeless just before the start of lockdown: "[it was a] shock to the system completely for me because I had my own flat... and I fractured my back on Christmas Eve, had to go back down to London for a bit - and obviously my flat and everything went, and I had nowhere really to go back to".
When he returned he was taken into a psychiatric hospital before being moved to the Travelodge and then Stonepillow's hostel.
"I was happy doing my own thing a while ago but now it's completely different".
"It seems like I hit crisis at the right timing really... I haven't heard of one person that's been left through the cracks."
Shaun admits that he feels lucky. "It seems like I hit crisis at the right timing really with the government and everything like that, they really, really are looking after everyone, I haven't heard of one person that's been left through the cracks".
"Anyone who's got half a brain can look around and see these people bending over backwards... so I think it would be wrong for anyone to ask anything more".
Stonepillow's Hilary Bartle thinks that geography is a critical factor in how well the "Everyone In" initiative worked.
"West Sussex has been tremendously lucky because of the low infection rate". All 246 homeless people known to authorities were given hotel accommodation and support. Additionally, "in Chichester we have reduced the number of rough sleepers accommodated within COVID-19... from 31 to 9 now since the last rough sleeper count in November 2019".
Elsewhere the levels of success have not been so clear.
Angie's story:
Angie, formerly homeless.
Angie lives in Edinburgh and became homeless in 2018 after difficult circumstances with her neighbour.
She was referred to Edingburgh Council who placed her into several different hostels and residences during the time she was homeless. From what she saw before lockdown, there was a "constant conveyor belt of homeless people being temporarily homed then being made homeless again".
Angie spent lockdown in the temporary council accommodation she has been living in since November. But, she reveals "I don't know how long I'm going to be in here for". Alongside her anxieties about the virus itself, the lack of certainty in her living situation has had a negative impact on her.
Despite issues with her mental and physical health over lockdown, she claims she received no support from her homelessness team.
Angie (who would like her interview to be anonymous) discusses the lack of support she recieved from Edinburgh council over lockdown.
The "Everyone In" policy does have limitations according to Angie. On 26th June, a mass-stabbing occurred in a Glasgow hotel where around 100 asylum seekers were reported to be staying. The suspect stabbed 6 people and was shot dead by police officers. Angie argues: "you can't expect to put all these people in a hotel room, ask them to stay in the room, give them sub-standard food (from what's coming out about all this) and expect nothing to happen".
"You can't just fix a person and put them in a home, I know that now from experiencing it myself... there has to be care packages put in place".
For Angie, housing is not the only way to resolve homelessness. "You can't just fix a person and put them in a home, I know that now from experiencing it myself... there has to be care packages put in place".
She continues "[it is a] difficult pill to swallow that they can't get a grip on this homelessness".
"There's no way in Edinburgh you could ever starve because there's that many charities trying to support homeless people, but there still doesn't seem to be anything done about it... [but] come a pandemic and there's not a homeless person in sight. They've managed to home every single person in some form... so how can you not do that in everyday life?"
Paul's story:
Paul, "Heathrow homeless".
Activist Paul has been living at Heathrow Airport for the last 2 years, but has been homeless for 10 years, since a credit file error prevented him from renewing his tenancy in London.
At the start of lockdown he began a campaign called "Heathrow homeless", arguing that while those who were visibly sleeping rough were quickly housed in temporary accommodation, many like him (sleeping in the airport) were forgotten.
"It's just a different set of problems".
He suggests that while it might appear to be better inside than where many homeless people were before, "it's just a different set of problems".
The huge advantage is getting up in the morning and being "able to walk four steps, turn on the shower and grab a shower whenever you want. Normally if I want to have a shower, that requires a hell of a lot of co-ordination".
Paul discusses how lockdown gave him the opportunity to return to "normal" life. Tour video courtesy of Paul Atherton.
"Minuscule things that people take for granted if you have a house that are the big changes for a homeless person... This was just back to normality for me".
Paul continues: "the government took the credit for solving the problem, as they put it, but actually nothing that the government did or the major charities did, did anything to solve the problem".
In fact, "the people who rose to the challenge were the grassroots organisations".
Ollie, homeless.
Ollie, homeless.
Patricia, homeless.
Patricia, homeless.
Shaun, homeless.
Shaun, homeless.
Angie, formerly homeless.
Angie, formerly homeless.
Paul, "Heathrow homeless".
Paul, "Heathrow homeless".
The "mixed emotions" towards the "Everyone In" initiative are also shared by grassroots organisations, as well as local authorities, according to Risha Lancaster from Coffee4Craig.
Grassroots organisations:
Based in Manchester, Risha and her team have been working with other organisations across the city to provide outreach services to people not in accommodation during lockdown.
Risha discusses why lockdown and the "Everyone In" policy was a relief for organisations like Coffee4Craig.
But, she argues: "I think the government haven't done enough".
"As much as we could possibly do has been done, because there's such a lack of buildings, there's a lack of staffing resources, a lack of money... there hasn't been enough resources for us all."
Local authorities:
Similarly, in Nottingham, City Councillor Linda Woodings expressed her frustration with Westminster.
"The government has made a promise to end rough sleeping and they've done it during this COVID crisis", she argues. But, "as a City Council we have a loss of revenue like every company... it has cost us at least £37 million". In her opinion, "they've literally left us hanging out to dry as far as the funding is concerned".
The original £22,500 Nottingham City Council received from central government was gone "in a matter of days". 2 hotels for a 12 week period, with security and food deliveries, cost the council just under £800,000.
"It's insulting".
She continues that much of the funding announced over the course of lockdown to help vulnerable people was repurposed: "it's insulting".
She says that as a city they have committed to "going above and beyond" the government's instructions. This includes working with the council's commissioned organisations like Emmanuel House to provide one-on-one support.
Emmanuel House's Support Centre, Nottingham.
Emmanuel House's Support Centre, Nottingham.
While Emmanuel House had to close it's support centre and overnight hubs during lockdown, they are now open for appointment-only services.
"For the first time, homelessness has been prioritised over care".
On the other hand, Hilary Bartle from Stonepillow believes that there "is a strong intent" from Robert Jenrick and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to find long-lasting solutions: "for the first time, homelessness has been prioritised over care".
Hilary Bartle discusses the government's proactive actions to solve homelessness at the start of lockdown.
"That was an amazing exercise"
Hilary continues: "that was an amazing exercise too, just to get that instruction from a government department that really has cut and cut and cut funding to rough sleeping and homelessness, to actually go 'no, you’ve got to get it sorted'".
🗣️We have written to councils asking them to get all rough sleepers off the streets – backed by £1.6 bn of extra funding as we fight #coronavirus #covid19
— Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Govt (@mhclg) March 27, 2020
Read the letter here
👉https://t.co/qmNSsMJ5xj pic.twitter.com/Z1hgem1NEg
@mhclg announcing on Twitter the instruction to get all rough sleepers off the streets.
She also expresses support for former Chief Advisor on homelessness Dame Louise Casey, "who is a very strong advocate for all this, [and] has actually forced the government to say 'and what next?' - you can’t just put people back on the street, which was my worry, that I wasn’t prepared to do that, that we have to get a plan in place".
THE "NEW NORMAL"
Post-lockdown and future fears
As lockdown continues to ease into the "new normal", many charities are expecting homelessness levels to rise.
According to recent figures from the Office for National Statistics, more than 730,000 jobs have been lost since the start of lockdown.
Emmanuel House's CEO, Denis Tully, admits that there are several factors that could continue to negatively affect homelessness levels for the next few months.
Emmanuel House's CEO, Denis Tully, describes the challenges faced by communities like Nottingham as life returns to normal.
In Nottingham there is a "very good working relationship" between the statutory and voluntary sectors to meet the needs of vulnerable people: "there are ongoing conversations between ourselves and the City Council at all sorts of different levels".
For Denis, decisions in Westminster have "a massive effect on the local community", and pressures faced by local authorities are directly correlated to how the country is run. Nonetheless, he claims that "there is a unified desire to see good positive outcomes for anyone who becomes homeless".
Housing and the Section 21 eviction ban
On 21st August, the government extended the eviction ban in England until 20th September. This made it illegal for landlords to serve a Section 21 notice before this date, and enforced a 6 month notice before evicting tenants.
We’ve taken action to protect the most vulnerable throughout the #COVID19 pandemic - and today we took a range of further steps to support renters👇 pic.twitter.com/tMtnU7Kyur
— Robert Jenrick (@RobertJenrick) August 21, 2020
@RobertJenrick announcing the review of the Eviction Ban to protect renters.
Before the extension, Westminster was facing increasing pressure to protect tenants from eviction, especially those who have built up rent arrears over the past months. In Scotland, leaders were praised by leading charities Crisis and Shelter for extending the ban until March 2021. In Wales, a new £8 million loan scheme for private sector tenants who cannot access benefits was announced at the start of August.
The BBC reported that in England, new research from the District Councils Network showed more than 486,242 households are spending more than half of their income on private rented housing. According to the findings, single parents with children, young people and households on low incomes are particularly at risk of homelessness.
Rough sleeper in Nottingham.
Ady's story
"A friend of mine split up with his partner during lockdown so I let him sleep in my caravan on my front garden".
In Nottingham, Ady was trying to prevent his friend Ian from becoming homeless: "a friend of mine split up with his partner during lockdown so I let him sleep in my caravan on my front garden. I'm in a council house and I've not got a dropped kerb on my front."
On Friday 28th August, Ady received a visit from a local council representative informing him that he had 2 weeks to evict his friend and move the caravan.
"My friend, well he will be on the street".
"Technically the council are making someone live on the streets, he wasn't doing anyone any harm. I'm now having to sell my caravan cheap, it's going tomorrow, so I've lost out a lot of money and my friend, well he will be on the street... and that will affect his health and mental health".
He added, he's been out most the day trying to find accommodation".
When they asked the council representative why Ian was being asked to leave, "their reply was 'not our problem, he shouldn't be there'. We know he shouldn't, but in this worrying time we thought we was doing a good turn".
Maddy's story
Credit: Maddy.
Before the eviction ban extension in August, Maddy's landlord tried to evict her and her housemates illegally with 3 weeks notice.
They managed to change their tenancy end-date to the 1st December, but have still received emails from their letting agency asking them to "Please confirm you're leaving in 2 weeks... your check-out is booked, we will charge you if you fail to vacate".
"I can’t imagine how many people who don’t know the details of the law... have been pressured into leaving or moving or treated unjustly."
"It’s actually horrific to think how people have been treated... I can't imagine how many people who don't know the details of the law... have been pressured into leaving or moving or treated unjustly".
"It’s 100 percent added to stress during an extremely busy period with deadlines and I feel much more at the end of my tether with this all!"
James' story
Credit: James.
Similarly, former technical project manager James' mental health is being negatively affected by lockdown-induced issues.
"I never thought I'd be in this position"
As the primary earner in his household, James lost his job after he was placed on furlough. He is currently job-hunting and says that he never expected to be in such a vulnerable position.
"I am a positive person in general and see the good in most situations, however as the days continue with no interviews and the bank balance getting smaller, I’m not sure what we’re going to do if it runs out."
Rough sleeper in Nottingham.
Rough sleeper in Nottingham.
Credit: Maddy.
Credit: Maddy.
Credit: James.
Credit: James.
Pledging a £266 million housing fund for vulnerable people, the Government's "Next Steps Accommodation Programme" was announced on 18th July. It aims to support new tenancies for people moving on from emergency accommodation.
Because nationally we are running a Next Steps Accommodation Programme, backed by £266 million in funding for longer-term accommodation. It will provide 3,300 homes this year alone, and tailored support so as few people as possible return to life on the streets. (3/4)
— Luke Hall MP (@LukeHall) August 28, 2020
@LukeHall, Minister for Rough Sleeping and Housing, mentions the Next Steps Accommodation Programme.
But, regardless of government efforts, Dame Louise Casey told the BBC's Newscast that she is "really worried about the autumn".
The main concern for charities during lockdown was that the homeless people they helped would have to return to the streets.
Labour party leader Keir Starmer tweeted in May "it's simply wrong to send homeless people back onto the streets... after this crisis we can't forget we all but ended rough sleeping overnight".
The coronavirus crisis is far from over.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 15, 2020
It's simply wrong to send homeless people back onto the streets.
Right now they need emergency support.
But after this crisis we can't forget we all but ended rough sleeping overnight. We can end it for good. https://t.co/N6jUgZjjul
@Keir_Starmer shares an article and states that we cannot forget about homeless people now.
However as numbers continue to rise, many people think that the goal of ending homelessness for good is becoming harder to reach.
"Most people are already back on the streets".
As someone currently receiving support, Paul Atherton says he is still in "total chaos".
He remains in his Westminster hotel accommodation, but could be asked to leave with 24 hour's notice.
"The reality of what's going on, as opposed to the utopian vision of what could have happened, is that most people are already back on the streets".
Paul Atherton discusses the realities of post-lockdown homeless levels.
"Local connection" means that anyone hoping to receive aid from a council has to prove that they, or anyone else in their household, has lived or worked in that area in recent years.
No Recourse to Public Funds
Homeless people with No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) are often hidden, and therefore overlooked.
According to londoncouncils.gov.uk, a person has "No Recourse to Public Funds" if they are "subject to immigration control". This means that they are not entitled to most welfare benefits, including income support and housing benefit, as well as a range of allowances and tax credits.
Nottingham has the largest number of people with NRFP outside of London. Councillor Linda Woodings says that authorities have "washed their hands of that group of individuals".
She continues that rather than them finding permanent accommodation post-lockdown, Nottingham City Council suspects many will go back to being hidden.
City Councillor Linda Woodings discusses what will happen to people with NRPF now hotels have reopened.
Denis Tully from Emmanuel House argues this is important in terms of who can access services. They provide the only non-conditional services in the city, and are working with the City Council to find people with NRPF jobs, so that they can claim the support they need.
Man: Jennier Morrow @ The Noun Project. House: Samuel Q. Green @ The Noun Project.
Man: Jennier Morrow @ The Noun Project. House: Samuel Q. Green @ The Noun Project.
Man: Jennier Morrow @ The Noun Project. House: Samuel Q. Green @ The Noun Project.
Man: Jennier Morrow @ The Noun Project. House: Samuel Q. Green @ The Noun Project.
Man: Jennier Morrow @ The Noun Project. House: Samuel Q. Green @ The Noun Project.
Man: Jennier Morrow @ The Noun Project. House: Samuel Q. Green @ The Noun Project.
Trauma and the next steps
As homelessness often comes with complex needs, some concern has been raised about post-lockdown trauma.
Hannah Green became homeless in late 2018 after developing severe PTSD that stemmed from childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault at university. She sofa-surfed until she had nowhere else to go. She then approached a charity in Scarborough which offered her short-term supported accommodation. However, this triggered her male-centric PTSD. Just before lockdown she found somewhere more permanent to stay and is now using her experiences to help others.
She argues that while lockdown may have had many positive impacts for homeless people and the charities helping them, the next few months are critical.
"If they've been off the streets for maybe 3 months they might've started to think maybe this is the turning point and things will get better".
"If they've been off the streets for maybe 3 months they might've started to think maybe this is the turning point and things will get better... They've probably got used to sleeping and eating regularly and having clean clothes."
Hannah argues that homeless organisations and councils should be "making sure that you don't just house someone in the first available flat or apartment, you've got to really look at what they need". She also suggests that authorities should be prioritising preventative care, like better mental health provision.
However with the speed of lockdown and life returning to the "new normal", some might argue that any housing is better than none.
Risks of a second wave of COVID-19
Jonathan Morgan, Community Cafe Manager at Helping Hands Community Project in Leamington Spa has expressed worries about the coming months.
"I have grave concerns about [the] numbers of people who may end up on the street and the winter months."
As the weather gets colder, "I have grave concerns about [the] numbers of people who may end up on the street in the winter months".
But, he argues that "the average person on the street responds with compassion, and during lockdown our charity was blessed by many local businesses and individuals giving gifts to help look after the most vulnerable."
In Hampshire, Trevor Pickup's major concern moving forward is that one of The Society of St James' hostel residents will contract COVID-19.
Trevor Pickup, The Society of St James, discusses his worries for the coming months.
Protecting staff and residents is something he says is going to be at the back of his mind for the upcoming months.
A potential second lockdown also poses economic risks. More businesses risk losing income and jobs are made vulnerable.
In Chichester, Hilary Bartle admits that "numbers are starting to creep up and we are concerned that the ending of the eviction ban... coupled with the furlough scheme ending in October 2020... could see a spike in homelessness just as the weather conditions decline".
"The Housing First project has been established and this has now agreed terms with social housing providers to deliver 12 direct-let flats over the next 6 months in which to house some of the most complex clients from the COVID-19 cohort into their own homes".
"It is still a real struggle to source permanent accommodation for those who are vulnerable and homeless".
But, "our hostels are all full and although we are proactively working with landlords, it is still a real struggle to source permanent accommodation for those who are vulnerable and homeless".
In order to prepare for a potential second peak, Stonepillow "are basing all our future plans on the lessons learned from the first wave".
"This includes updating our business continuity plans, fortnightly reviews of our infection control and transmission reduction policies and processes... We are also applying for grants to support us with infrastructure costs which will result from improving our business continuity and infection control plans".
"At present everything is caught in a cliff edge at the end of March 2021".
Fundamentally however, "we need a solid baseline of funding to ensure that we can provide continued longer term support and accommodation to enable us to end rough sleeping in the long term. At present everything is caught in a cliff edge at the end of March 2021."
Homeless man in Chichester, July 2020.
Homeless man in Chichester, July 2020.
Homeless man in Chichester, July 2020.
Homeless man in Chichester, July 2020.
"Unfortunately I haven't got a very bright vision of the future".
At first glace, the start of lockdown solved homelessness. However, Risha Lancaster from Coffee4Craig admits she is not looking forward to the coming months: "unfortunately I haven't got a very bright vision of the future".
While some homeless and vulnerable people found positive housing solutions, others could not. Despite this, hotel lockdown provided many residents with hope and a clear head to make decisions about their future, according to Hilary Bartle.
Councillor Linda Woodings argues that getting "Everyone In" set an important precedent: "we need to take what's worked well out of this and embed that into our future service provision".
As a fast-paced and dynamic issue, there is frequently new updates about COVID and homelessness monthly. To find out more about how COVID-19 has affected the homeless community near you, check your local news outlet or local housing association website.
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, contact your local council. To find out whether you classify as legally homeless, click here.
If you are under 25: Advice if you are at risk of homelessness or if you are currently homeless.
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