Three in 10 in England fear homelessness within five years due to housing costs – survey

Around three in 10 people are concerned they may end up homeless in the next five years due to housing costs, according to a survey. Some 31% of people polled for Amnesty International UK said they are worried about ending up sofa-surfing or in temporary accommodation.

The campaign group is calling for safe and affordable housing to be made a human right that is protected in law. It likened navigating England’s housing system to undertaking a “gruelling obstacle course”, with accommodation the prize for those who “make it to the end”.

And it accused the Government of rationing access to housing due to a “severe shortfall” in suitable, affordable accommodation. Legislation requires local authorities to take “reasonable steps” to try to prevent or relieve a household’s homelessness by helping them to secure accommodation for at least six months.