Dramatic Rise in Disabled People Facing Homelessness Across England

Official government figures have revealed a deeply troubling trend: more than 60,000 households with disabled members in England faced homelessness last year, marking an alarming increase of nearly 75% since 2019. This stark rise highlights a growing crisis at the intersection of disability and housing insecurity throughout the nation.

Sharp Increase in Disabled Households Facing Housing Insecurity

Analysis of government data conducted by the homelessness charity Crisis paints a concerning picture of the challenges facing disabled individuals across England. The comprehensive review demonstrates that homelessness among households with disabled members has risen at a significantly faster rate than overall homelessness figures, which themselves peaked in early 2024.

According to the latest government statistics, 21% of households facing homelessness in the final quarter of last year included members with some form of physical ill health or disability. In real terms, this translates to 62,040 households with physical ill health and disability needs who confronted homelessness in the 2023/24 period, compared with 35,860 in 2018/19—a dramatic increase that underscores the disproportionate impact of the housing crisis on disabled individuals.

Declining Social Housing Allocations

Compounding this troubling trend, government data simultaneously reveals a significant reduction in social housing lettings allocated to households with a disability. The proportion dropped from 20% in 2022/23 to just 16% in 2023/24, creating a perfect storm of increased vulnerability coupled with diminished support systems.

This decline in social housing availability for disabled individuals occurs at a particularly critical moment, when such accommodation—often adapted or more suitable for those with mobility or health concerns—is desperately needed to prevent homelessness amongst this vulnerable population.

Political Tensions Over Welfare Reform

The rising homelessness figures have intensified unease within the Labour Party regarding planned cuts to disability benefits, with several MPs expressing profound concern over recent weeks about welfare payment reductions affecting both pensioners and disabled individuals.

In March, the government announced a substantial welfare overhaul aimed at cost reduction, including significant changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP), a vital benefit that supports many disabled people with their daily living and mobility needs.

Labour MP Paula Barker, who co-chairs a cross-party parliamentary group focused on homelessness, warned that “certain people” in government “talk about going further and faster, but we need to go further and faster in the right direction, not the wrong direction.”

Barker described the disability homelessness numbers as “hugely significant” and cautioned they would have “a real detrimental and knock-on impact” when combined with the benefit changes. She further criticised the Treasury for having “imposed a straightjacket” on the government, suggesting there exists a “deep-rooted Treasury orthodoxy from civil servants that has sadly fitted hand-in-glove with a chancellor who has been willing to go along with that.”

Unfulfilled Election Promises

During last year’s general election campaign, Sir Keir Starmer made a clear commitment that a Labour government would promptly develop a strategy “to put Britain back on track to ending homelessness.” However, ten months after the election, many Labour MPs have grown increasingly concerned that no such comprehensive strategy has materialised.

This perceived inaction has fuelled internal tensions within the party, as backbenchers question the government’s priorities and commitment to addressing the housing crisis, particularly for vulnerable groups such as disabled individuals.

Personal Impact: Julie’s Story

Behind the statistics lies the profound human impact of homelessness on disabled individuals. Julie, who suffers from severe osteoarthritis, shared her harrowing experience of spending five months in temporary accommodation in Oxfordshire with her teenage son two years ago.

Their ordeal included stays in three different hotels, one of which could not accommodate her mobility scooter in her room, whilst another lacked cooking facilities and even a refrigerator. “It was really difficult and it really affected my health,” Julie explains, “we couldn’t cook, we were eating instant pasta. It was hard to get around in the old wheelchair I had at the time.”

The detrimental health consequences of her unstable housing situation became apparent when Julie developed type-2 diabetes during her time in temporary accommodation, highlighting the intricate relationship between housing stability and health outcomes.

Healthcare Implications

Alex Bax, chief executive of homelessness and healthcare charity Pathway, emphasised that the “health service is too often unable to provide the care that people facing homelessness need.” The intersection of homelessness and health creates a vicious cycle, where poor housing conditions exacerbate health problems, whilst health issues simultaneously make securing and maintaining suitable accommodation more challenging.

Bax called upon ministers to take “bold action to treat poor health and homelessness in the joined-up way that these figures show is so desperately needed.” This integrated approach acknowledges the complex relationship between housing insecurity and health outcomes, particularly for disabled individuals who may have specific healthcare requirements.

Calls for Action

Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis, described the figures on disability homelessness as “really concerning” and warned they would lead to “more hardship, and more pressure on already overstretched councils.” Local authorities, already facing significant budgetary constraints, are struggling to meet the growing demand for temporary accommodation and support services for homeless households.

Downie urged ministers to “provide renewed security and stability for people across the country” and called on the government to commit to building 90,000 new social homes annually. This ambitious target reflects the scale of intervention needed to address the fundamental shortage of affordable, accessible housing that lies at the heart of the homelessness crisis.

Government Response

In response to these concerns, a government spokesperson acknowledged that ministers had inherited “a devastating housing crisis and a broken social care system.” They highlighted the allocation of £1 billion “for crucial homelessness services this year” and emphasised their commitment to “tackling the root causes” of homelessness through an ambitious programme to build 1.5 million new homes in England.

However, critics argue that this response fails to address the immediate needs of disabled individuals currently facing homelessness or at risk of losing their homes. The timescale for constructing new homes means that many vulnerable households may continue to struggle in the intervening period without targeted interventions.

A senior Treasury source defended the government’s overall approach to public spending, noting that “the Labour government has invested an additional £40 billion into our public services, including the NHS, and increased capital investment in our roads, rail and housing by more than £100 billion.”

Broader Housing Context

The rising homelessness figures for disabled people occur against a backdrop of a nationwide housing affordability crisis that has been brewing for decades. Insufficient construction of social and affordable housing, combined with rising private rental costs, has created a perfect storm that disproportionately affects those on lower incomes or with specific housing needs.

For disabled individuals, the challenges extend beyond mere affordability. Many require adapted properties with specific features such as wider doorways, accessible bathrooms, or ground-floor accommodation. The shortage of such specially adapted properties within the social housing sector further limits options for disabled people seeking stable housing.

Impact on Local Authorities

Local councils across England are increasingly struggling to meet their statutory obligations to house homeless households, including those with disabled members. The shortage of suitable temporary accommodation has forced many local authorities to rely on expensive bed and breakfast establishments or hotels, which often lack appropriate facilities for disabled individuals.

This reliance on unsuitable temporary accommodation not only impacts the wellbeing of disabled homeless households but also places significant financial strain on local authority budgets. The cost of providing temporary accommodation has risen dramatically in recent years, diverting resources away from preventative measures that might address the root causes of homelessness.

Looking Forward

As the government grapples with this complex issue, experts emphasise the need for a multi-faceted approach that addresses both immediate housing needs and the underlying structural issues contributing to homelessness among disabled people.

This would likely include reviewing the impact of welfare reforms on housing security, increasing investment in accessible social housing, improving coordination between housing and health services, and developing targeted prevention strategies for households at risk of homelessness.

Without comprehensive action, there are concerns that the number of disabled people facing homelessness will continue to rise, creating further pressure on already stretched public services and causing immense personal suffering for some of society’s most vulnerable individuals.

The stark statistics serve as a powerful reminder that homelessness is not merely a housing issue but a complex social challenge with profound implications for health equality, disability rights, and social justice across England.