One in 88 people are homeless in Brighton and Hove, according to Shelter, the housing and homelessness charity. This horrifying statistic brings the real extent of the situation into focus. At a stark contrast to the vibrant, eclectic charm of a seaside city are the lived experiences of housing insecurity that residents increasingly suffer from.
Rough sleeping is the most visible aspect of homelessness. A bleak picture is painted by the government’s Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England: Autumn 2023. The rate of people sleeping rough per 100,000 in Brighton is almost triple that of England as a whole, and represents a 27% increase from 2022. To lend perspective: London’s rough sleeping rate is much lower, at nearly double the England figure.
However, rough sleeping doesn’t capture the entire picture. Housing insecurity describes lacking long-term, dependable housing. This includes temporary accommodation (e.g. hostels), threat of eviction or domestic violence, inadequate housing, and ‘hidden homelessness’ of sofa surfing. People may be homeless without recognising it.
Causes of housing insecurity are varied and connected. Simple answers of unemployment are inadequate: among homeless people supported by the city council last July-September, 26.7% were in employment, according to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. Insecure employment brings undependable income, and so insecure housing. A component of this, more specific to Brighton, is seasonal tourism industry employment, with off-season work scarce.
People with interrelated health and social care needs are particularly vulnerable to homelessness. Mental health and addiction issues often prevent people from working, affording accommodation, or being able to complete the necessary admin to either remain housed independently or access support.
Housing is increasingly unattainable, most acutely in the South-East. Chronic shortages of social housing are compounded by issues within the private rental sector. Census data reveals Brighton holds the largest proportion of privately rented homes outside London, and a majority of homes under-occupied – possibly as holiday lets. Resulting rental prices provide a great time to be a landlord.
Brighton and Hove’s Homelessness Strategy provides private rental help with council tax reductions and housing benefit applications, severe weather emergency shelters, supported and emergency accommodation, and specialist outreach services.
Issues in this system exacerbate homelessness. A fixed address is needed to apply for benefits, jobs, and GP registration. The 120% increase in rough sleeping since 2010 may be tied to government policy choices of austerity, cutting funds for vital services. These services are crucial for the 78% of statutory homeless households registered with Brighton and Hove Council services who have support needs (mental and physical health, domestic abuse, offending, addiction). Waiting lists result, leaving individuals without adequate support to address their underlying issues. Accommodation shortages create ‘out of area’ placements, away from familiar supports. Government drives to bring ‘Everyone In’ without sufficient long-term social housing trap unending, record-breaking numbers of people in (often unsuitable) ‘temporary accommodation’ limbo.
Benefits system insufficiencies further embed housing insecurity. The current council strategy identifies that shortfalls between Local Housing Allowance and average rent rose to 253% in the five years to 2019, to £177 weekly. Universal Credit payment delays force recipients into late rent payments, leading to accommodation loss and difficulty finding a new place to live, with landlords seeing them as a ‘risk’.
A combination of factors mean the most vulnerable people fall through the cracks, unable to access help. The problem is bigger than providing places to stay: there is a clear, pressing need for help for people to be able to remain in those places.
Though the extent and gravity of this situation may seem overwhelming, there are ways you can help. For example, supporting charities working in aid of homeless people by donating or volunteering. Shelter stressed the upcoming general election’s importance in a February 2024 press release, “calling for all political parties to commit to ending the housing emergency” with social housing building programs. You can ask your elected representatives for change, and vote on it in local elections on Thursday 2 May, and later in the Parliamentary general election.
More immediately, if you see someone sleeping rough, reach out to Streetlink.org.uk to connect street outreach support. Contact 999 if someone is in immediate danger, requires immediate medical attention, or is under 18 sleeping rough.
If you are concerned about your living situation, you can contact the council’s Housing Advice team, or call Shelter’s free helpline on 0808 800 4444 for advice and support. Fortunately or unfortunately; you are not alone.
