Homelessness is a concern for 1 in 5 people in the UK as public urge Government to build social homes

MORE than 1 in 5 people in the UK fear they or someone they know could be homeless in the next 12 months; and 77% of the population want Government to support the building of more social homes to address the issue.

A new study, released today by leading social enterprise Places for People, can reveal that 21% of people living in the UK fear they or someone they know will become homeless in the next year.

The worry is even greater among renters; both private (30%) and social (29%); compared to 15% among homeowners.

Latest Government data shows 3,898 people were counted as sleeping rough across England on a single night in Autumn 2023, and 121 in Wales. In Scotland, 2,438 households reported rough sleeping during the previous three months before applying for support in 2022 / 2023.

Rough sleeping alone does not tell the whole story of the severity of homelessness. The most recent Government data shows households living in temporary accommodation is at its highest ever level with 112,660 in England, 15,625 in Scotland and 5,700 in Wales.

Meanwhile, according to the most recent available data, there are 1.29 million households waiting for a social home in England, 110,900 in Scotland and 90,000 in Wales.

80% of people think that homelessness is a major national issue and a similar proportion (77%) believe Government needs to build more social homes to address the problem. 81% say Government should provide more funding to prevent homelessness.

Places for People, which owns or manages more than 245,000 homes across the UK including 74,000 social homes, is calling on the next Government to put building 90,000 social homes per year as a top priority.

John Greaves, Chief Impact Officer at Places for People, said:- "These figures should alarm us all. What we found has bluntly exposed the worry that exists throughout the country. Sadly, however, they do not come as a surprise; for too long we have been highlighting the seriousness of the ever-growing homelessness crisis facing the UK. With renters in both social and private properties most concerned, everything people are telling us points towards a desperate need to build more social homes, although delivering the right mix of all tenures remains vital to ease overall pressure. At Places for People, we're doing all we can to build more quality homes, including for social rent, and we support those who have fallen on hard times and are being let down by the welfare system, but we can only do so much. We know that building 90,000 social homes a year will be a challenge, but we're ready to help. We see an opportunity to deepen our collaboration with partners and work closely together as part of public-interest-led development groups. This would bring developers, local authorities, members of the public and others together on larger schemes to plan and deliver the quality homes needed in a more joined-up and community-focussed way. This could be supported by giving Homes England greater flexibility over funding to deliver on more challenging sites. We want to put ourselves forward to work closely with Homes England and a local authority on a specific site to trial this model, building on the development corporation approach. As a sector, the concerns we have raised time and time again around the need for more social homes have not been listened to by Government in recent years. So, we are now urging whoever forms the next Government to listen to the people of the UK and put delivering more social homes at the top of your priority list. Talking's over, it's time to build."

Places for People is doing all it can to build the quality homes needed across the UK. It completed 1,750 new homes in the last year, of which 86% are affordable, with 265 available for social rent. A further 1,944 were started in the last year, of which 74% are affordable and 210 will be available for social rent.

In addition to building more homes, Places for People also supported over 10,500 people who were either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the last year. We also fund, build and manage a range of facilities across the country to accommodate homeless people, including housing pods currently being developed in Bristol where those living there can live independently.

As a social enterprise we also provide significant investment to communities around the UK through direct support and services such as white goods provision, money advice, heat and food vouchers, education, health and wellbeing and more, totalling around £300million in social value per year.

The new study, conducted by Opinium on be½ of leading social enterprise Places for People, is a survey of 4,000 UK citizens. The research is being released in the weeks leading up to the General Election this summer.

A 3rd of retirees face an emotional rollercoaster

A Southport couple who became internet sensations in retirement have partnered with the Oddfellows to encourage retirees across the North West to seek out the joy in retirement.

It comes after an independent study, commissioned by the Oddfellows; 1 of the UK's largest and oldest friendly societies; showed how a 3rd of retirees in the North West have had to work through negative feelings such as loneliness, boredom and a reduced sense of identity and purpose.

But Joan and Jimmy O'Shaughnessy, who have amassed more than 4million followers on social media, say retirees should take a leaf out of their book and grab opportunities to avoid loneliness and boredom setting in.

Joan, 70, said:- "It's easy to see retirement as a target to work towards. You work all your life until you reach this magic number and then you just take it easy and slow down. But for us it has always been a time for opportunity, to try new things and focus on enjoyment rather than work. We never guessed that we would be doing this, but we wouldn't be here if we hadn't continued to challenge ourselves!"

Jimmy and Joan learned to dance 25 years ago, becoming British and English Champions in formation dancing. But it was their new passion for TikTok which has been their most unexpected benefit of retirement. Not only have they travelled the globe as the:- 'twojays2,' but they can also count David Beckham and Beyonce's mother among their fans.

Joan said:- "We've had this amazing, unexpected adventure and we are loving every minute of it, but it wouldn't have happened if we hadn't had the right attitude towards trying something new."

Jimmy, 71, took early retirement aged 52, but has volunteered his time extensively for local charities and as Chairman of Hillside Golf Club in Southport. He said:- "The important thing to remember is that your retirement can be whatever you want it to be. I do believe putting time and thought into it makes it easier; but it's never too late, it's about seizing opportunities and making the most of them."

Jane Nelson is the CEO of the Oddfellows, a non-profit which helps older adults forge new friendships and supports almost 40,000 members nationally at its branches.

In the North West, a number of Oddellows branches offer a range of activities and social events for members and newcomers, including:- Combermere Branch (Manchester, Stockport, Glossop, Leigh and Bolton), Cumbria Branch, Denshaw Branch (Saddleworth), Handforth and Altrincham Branch, Mersey Branch, Ormskirk and Southport Branch, Preston Branch (including Blackpool, Lancaster and Morecambe), South East Lancashire Branch and St Helens and Warrington Branch.

Jane said:- "What's surprising here is the speed in which retirees have said that they've became bored or unmotivated, especially this early on after finishing work. You don't expect that. From the get-go, retirement should afford you more time to focus on yourself and what you enjoy. But this time needs to have structure and purpose, or it can become problematic. We've seen this with new members to our friendship groups, how they've found the early stages of retirement tricky to navigate as former routines fall away, and their everyday contact with people outside of the home drops. While most people plan financially, they may not factor in ensuring that their emotional and social needs are kept stimulated after leaving work. The impact of this can't be underestimated."

The survey of 1,800 UK adults aged over 55 found that of those who felt bored, 66% said this happened within the 1st year, and 34% in just 3 months. They also claimed their boredom was due to having too much time on their hands (64%), having a lack of motivation or purpose (61%) and that they struggled with a lack of daily routine (50%).

Jane added:- "As this study shows, if left unchecked, the result is often boredom which can lead to individuals feeling lonely and isolated. Feelings which can have more serious physical and mental health implications."

The survey of 1,800 UK adults aged over 55 suggests an underestimation of the impact being the boss of your own free time can have on your social and emotional health. While 37% of respondents budgeted for retirement, 17% of those surveyed haven't prepared for retirement at all, and just 19% thought about the needs of their social life in retirement.

Reassuringly, 66% of retirees stated that retirement had met their expectations and that they were happy and fulfilled.

Following the findings, the Oddfellows is urging retirees to expect shifts in emotional and social needs and to keep boredom at bay by staying open to new opportunities; whether that's through exploring new friendships, local community activities, or even through finding fresh avenues for creativity.

The Oddfellows offers its members opportunities to stay social and supported in retirement, as well as chances to volunteer. Each month, its branches hold around 700 events, in-person and online, from walks, talks and coffee mornings to lunch excursions and crafting.

Jane added that building a new daily routine in and outside of the home, staying open to new opportunities and looking at ways to be involved in your local community will help people's retirements feel purposeful.

She said:- "Joan and Jimmy are a fabulous reminder that retirement never has to be dull. We aren't saying that everyone needs to become TikTok stars, but by staying open to opportunities; whether that's trying a new activity or meeting different people; retirees can definitely reduce the chances of boredom from setting in. People deserve great retirements. They've earned it."

To learn more about the Oddfellows, the support it offers to retirees, and to receive a free information pack and local events diary, visit:- Oddfellows.Co.UK, call:- 08000281810, or email:- Enquiries@Oddfellows.Co.UK.