Squatters have been revealed as some of the most vulnerable of all homeless people by research published as the Government consultation into criminalisation of squatting comes to an end.
The research reveals that squatters are more likely than other homeless people to suffer from a range of disadvantages, from mental and physical ill health to learning disabilities to drug and alcohol dependency.
Squatting: A Homelessness Issue was undertaken by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of homelessness charity Crisis. The report draws on analysis from a range of previous research into homelessness and squatting.
The research concludes that criminalising squatters will criminalise a very vulnerable group of people and that far from being a criminal justice issue, squatting should be treated as a welfare and housing issue.
The research comes after a campaign from Crisis against criminalisation of squatting, and a letter, backed by Crisis, that has provoked a strong exchange of views between the government and housing legal experts. Crisis has also produced the Daily Rant to highlight misconceptions around squatting.
Key findings from the research are:
You can download the report via this link.
Responding to the cuts: a survival guide for frontline services
In 2010 the Government announced to local councils that their budgets would be cut from 2011/12, but urged them to protect services for the most vulnerable.
Homelessness Grant (the national budget for tackling homelessness) was not cut, and overall Supporting People (SP) funding was kept mostly in tact - with a 12% reduction over four years, starting with 2.7% for 2011/12. However, these are not ring-fenced, which means that despite the relatively low cut, homelessness and other essential services are at risk of reduced funds.
A new good practice note shares real responses and suggest solutions for homelessness services in how to respond to reduced statutory and charity funding. It is focused solely on responses for services facing SP and Homelessness Grant cuts.
It also includes case studies to enable services to learn from others who are taking steps to mitigate the impact of the cuts.
The Guide can be downloaded from the Homeless Link website via this link.