A man experiencing homelessness has expressed hopes that the government will prioritize housing accessibility in its upcoming Budget. Josh, 26, currently residing at the night shelter Jimmy’s in Cambridge, highlighted the importance of council housing and “move-on housing,” which includes shared accommodation that offers support services. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, is scheduled to present Labour’s second budget on November 26.
From April 2024 to March 2025, Cambridge City Council recorded 1,139 applications related to homelessness, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year. Josh stated his goal is to return to work after completing his electrician qualifications, emphasizing that the program is challenging and akin to a degree in difficulty. He advocates for more opportunities related to apprenticeships and increased financial support for essentials, such as course materials. Recently, he received a government grant to acquire job-hunting essentials, including a mobile phone and appropriate clothing. He also mentioned that he would support tax increases if the funds were directed towards public services, particularly improvements to train services into London.
In a similar situation, Andrew, who works in the security sector, resides in a property owned by the charity Hope Into Action in Peterborough. This charity, established 15 years ago, manages 130 properties across the UK. After experiencing homelessness for several months, Andrew has lived in one of their homes for two years and noted the financial challenges of renting in the private market.
Peterborough City Council is also witnessing an uptick in housing applications, receiving inquiries from 3,654 households in 2024, an 11% increase from the previous year. Since April 7 of this year, 2,333 inquiries have been made—averaging 70 per week. Recently, the council received nearly £1 million to address rough sleeping in the city. Andrew acknowledged the need for funding public services and indicated that higher taxes could be a necessary means to ensure their sustainability.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3eplqwzj52o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss