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Shelter braced for homeless crisis this Christmas (21 November 2013)

Date: 21/11/2013
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Shelter braced for homeless crisis this Christmas

Homeless charity Shelter is predicting a huge rise in the number of people who will become homeless this winter – and especially in the run up to Christmas and New Year.

Shelter says there is a 10% increase in the number of people calling the homeless charity’s helpline every year. In 2012, a total of 174,177 callers contacted Shelter, averaging 470 people calling the helpline every day.

The Shelter helpline operates 365 days of the year and it is partly funded by Marks & Spencer’s “Food on the Move” range of Christmas food and sandwiches. The project funds 50 helpline advisers at Shelter and Marks & Spencer customers have raised £2 million over the last eight years.

A Shelter helpline adviser said:

“The threat of homelessness is devastating at any time of year but it seems to get worse around Christmas, as the strains of the holidays close in and the weather gets cold. I’ve never seen the helpline as busy as it has been this year.”

Shelter’s helpline staff will be working through the holiday season manning the phonelinne, said Shelter’s chief executive Campbell Robb:

“While most of us will be enjoying the festivities at home with our family and friends, Shelter helpline staff will be taking calls from people on the brink of homelessness.

“But with the number of calls for help they receive rising quickly, they need more support to keep going,” Mr Robb added.

Shelter estimates that 80,000 children in the UK could face homelessness this Christmas, with some ending up living in bed and breakfast accommodation with their families.

Shelter’s research reveals that half the children living in temporary accommodation have witnessed “disturbing incidents” – including one child who was threatened by a man after an argument over a shared bathroom. Most of the families interviewed for the research reported they felt “unsafe” in temporary accommodation – and some said trying to feed their children a balanced diet was almost impossible.

Campbell Robb said:

“Our advisers will be working with families facing homelessness every day this Christmas to help them find a safe place to live and get back on their feet – but we urgently need more support this year to be there for these children.

“…Tragically, with more people struggling to make ends meet and homelessness on the rise, we’re bracing ourselves for an increase in demand from families who desperately need our help.”

Help with Housing Law

Local Authorities have a legal duty to provide homeless families with temporary accommodation while they find suitable housing for them, but sometimes Local Authorities say they have no appointments available or other delays occur.

In such cases lawyers can arrange for the case to go to court for what is known as a judicial review – these cases can also be funded by the Legal Aid Agency.

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can help with a range of housing matters, including issues with Local Authorities, unlawful eviction, landlord and tenant disputes, debt and mortgage prepossession.

Duncan Lewis is also one of the leading Legal Aid solicitors in England and Wales.

Contact Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


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