TV presenter Gail Porter is joining the Single Homeless Project in a call for immediate Government action as new analysis reveals that over four thousand Londoners could be forced into homelessness before Christmas – one person every 9 minutes and 50 seconds.
To draw attention to this shocking statistic, the charity unveiled a surreal installation under Camden Lock bridge, designed to remind us that everyone deserves a home for good – especially at Christmas.
Single Homeless Project, the largest homeless charity dedicated to helping Londoners in crisis, is calling for the Government to increase the Local Housing Allowance and raise the benefit cap proportionately to help Londoners pay their rent and stay in their own homes. The charity is warning that without these measures, 4,239 people living in the capital could be forced into homelessness by Christmas day.
Gail Porter, who was briefly forced into homelessness in the mid-00’s, has joined Single Homeless Project at the ‘Home for Good’ installation to talk about why she is supporting the campaign, Gail said:
“Christmas is a time for being around friends and loved ones, sharing festive cheer. I know first-hand that for many people experiencing homelessness, it’s one of the loneliest and most difficult times of the year. Everyone deserves a safe and cosy place to call home, so please help a fellow Londoner today. You can make a difference – whether it be donating, volunteering, calling for help in an emergency or even just a smile from a friendly face – it all goes a long way.”
The installation, an out-of-place festive sitting room complete with a twinkling tree, comfy armchair and warm throws, sits bizarrely on a drab London street. In the middle of the cosy scene, a tired-looking duvet lies on some damp cardboard – starkly contrasting the bleak living conditions for Londoners forced to sleep on the streets with the joyful decor many of us associate with our own homes in December.
Although the Autumn budget announced that benefits and the benefit cap will rise in line with inflation from April, it didn’t address the biggest cause of homelessness in London – high rental rates and a disproportionately low Local Housing Allowance that hasn’t risen since 2019. The Local Housing Allowance determines the amount of your rent which can be covered by benefits.
The benefit cap puts an overall limit on the amount that people can claim. For Londoners, who pay the highest rental rates in the UK and must rely on inadequate Local Housing Allowance, it means most of their benefits are swallowed up by rent and they aren’t left with much to survive on for the rest of the month.
Liz Rutherfoord, Chief Executive at Single Homeless Project adds: “In the time it takes to fill a Christmas stocking, one Londoner is forced into homelessness. That is an inexcusable place to be in for one of the world’s richest cities and the Government should be taking action. Local Housing Allowance has not increased since 2019 whilst London rents have been skyrocketing. It means that after rent, people are left with very little to survive on. We need an urgent increase in Local Housing Allowance and a proportionate raise in the benefit cap to give Londoners a fair chance and stop thousands more being forced into homelessness. Everyone deserves a place to call home, for good.”
Charlotte, 41 from North London previously faced homelessness. With the help of Single Homeless Project, she now has her own flat, is a personal trainer and runs boxing and self-defence classes for women experiencing homelessness. She said:
“I know what it’s like when you’re staring at those unpaid bills and wondering how on earth you’re going to pay them. It’s a dark place to be and that daily threat of homelessness severely affects your mental health. Surely it makes sense for the Government to help people stay in their own homes by giving them a fair chance at making ends meet? Because what’s the alternative?”
Single Homeless Project has produced a guide on how to help Londoners this winter. The guide features tips on everything from how to help someone in an emergency and volunteering to what to do if you’re asked for money and how to help people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The guide is available to download at www.shp.org.uk/homeforgood
