Homelessness in Wales is at a five year high, according to new figures released this week.
The latest statistics from the Welsh Government show that more households were accepted as homeless by their local authority than at any point since June 2006.
From July – September 2011, 1,845 households were accepted as homeless. This represents an increase of 15 per cent on the same period in 2010 and is 25 per cent up from two years previously
John Puzey, director of Shelter Cymru, said: “It’s clear that many families in Wales are facing a very uncertain future this Christmas and the prospect for the New Year looks even bleaker.
“The continuing impact of the recession, rising living costs and further cuts to housing benefit due to come in over the next few months are likely to drive many more people into situations where they simply cannot manage.
“We already know from a survey we carried out earlier this year that people are finding it increasingly difficult to cope, with many cutting back on heating and food in order to meet their rent or mortgage payments.
“The cuts to public spending mean that local authorities are going to be under incredible pressure. We are now starting to see the use of B&B accommodation increasing, so undermining all the excellent work councils have done over recent years to reduce this.
“At the root of the problem is Wales’s long-standing shortage of affordable homes and we urgently need greater investment in this area. Far from being a luxury, investing in homes provides great value for money, boosting skills, employment, local economic development and strengthening communities.
“A good start would be a concerted drive to get some of Wales’s 23,000 privately-owned long term empty properties back into use. The Welsh Government has stated its commitment to this and many councils are already making strides in this direction, but today’s figures demonstrate more clearly than ever how great the need is to move quickly on this.
“As always, we urge people to get independent advice as soon as they find themselves in difficulties. The earlier we see people, the more we are able to do to help.”
In Shelter Cymru’s survey, carried out by YouGov in June 2011, twenty one per cent of respondents responsible for rent or mortgage payments said that they had reduced the amount they spend on heating to meet rent or mortgage payments in the last two years, up from 14 per cent the previous year, while 28 per cent said that they spent less on food because of rent and mortgage costs, up from 23 per cent in 2010.
Fifty five per cent of respondents who pay rent or mortgage said that they struggled at least some of the time with payments, compared to 49 per cent in 2010.
The survey also showed that:
- Just over a fifth (21%) of those responsible for mortgage or rent costs said they had increased their use of credits cards or loans to meet day to day expenses
- Nearly a quarter (24%) of all Welsh adults said that paying the rent or mortgage were a source of anxiety in their households, rising to 30% of 18-34 year olds and 35% of 35-44 year olds
- Nineteen per cent said that changes to housing and welfare benefits were a source of anxiety in their households, rising to 29% of those aged 45-54 and 56% of those who were unemployed or not working
- Of 18-34 year olds, a fifth had reduced spending on heating and 30% had reduced spending on food to meet rent or mortgage payments in the last two years
- Among those aged 55+, more than a quarter (26%) had cut the amount the spend on heating and 29% had cut their spending on food to meet rent or mortgage payments in the last two years
