Day 7 - Housing
Housing affordability, availability, and quality are crucial factors that influence homelessness rates and the experiences of those who are homeless.
What are the issues?
- Rising housing Costs makes it difficult for low-income individuals and families to afford stable housing.
- Wages vs. Housing Costs have not risen equally
- Significant reduction in the availability of social housing
- Lack of housing availability and quality
- Supply Shortages: resulting in the lack of new construction of affordable homes
- Temporary accommodation provided by local authorities may not always be of high quality, impacting residents' physical and mental health.
For 6 months we had a housing officer from Stonewall Housing join us on the Driving for Change busses, providing vital housing advice to all our guests. Partnerships with charities like Stonewall housing, as well as London Housing Foundation and Street Link are critical in helping people in their first steps out of homelessness.
How can you help?
- Engage in Advocacy and Campaigning
- Join or Form Advocacy Groups that focus on housing issues or start your own group.
- Raise Awareness: Use various platforms, including social media, blogs, and community events, to raise awareness about housing issues and policy gaps.
- Lobbying: Directly engage with policymakers to present evidence, share personal stories, and advocate for specific changes. Request meetings, attend public consultations, and participate in parliamentary committees or local council meetings.