London’s only dedicated drug and alcohol detox unit for homeless people is to close St Thomas’ Hospital has confirmed, reports the BBC. The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said the decision had been taken due to “rising costs”, adding that the service was “no longer affordable within existing funding”. The clinic, which is […]
Refugees were given 56 days to find an income and a place to live under a Home Office pilot. Refugee Council warns reducing that time to 42 days risks more refugees ending up homeless, reports the Big Issue. Giving refugees 56 days to find an income and a place to live after being evicted from […]
Some people are not considered for social housing due to fears they will not be able to sustain tenancies because of low incomes or insecure finances – but where else are people meant to live? The Big Issue investigates. There is a critical shortage of social housing across the UK. This is most acute in England […]
When homeless Calumn Donaghey was turned away from a Holiday Inn Express hotel even after a charity had booked him a room, he felt “disgusting”, reports the BBC. The 30-year-old and a friend had been told the Manchester city centre hotel’s policy did not allow homeless people to stay – a stance the company later […]
A homeless mother has credited a cafe with turning her life around “against all odds” and ensuring she kept custody of her young son, reports the BBC. The mostly volunteer-led Curry on the Street in Nelson has delivered close to 60,000 hot meals and emotional support to those in need for decades – and is […]
Shabana Mahmood claimed settled migrants would “receive immediate access to social housing” if Labour didn’t step in. The Big Issue asks: Is it true? Certain politicians would have you believe Brits can’t a social home because immigrants get priority access. This claim has dogged British politics for a long time: back in 2024 the Tories floated […]
The People’s Property Portfolio’s community share offer aims to buy up and restore a listed building for artists in Bradford to offer UK City of Culture legacy, reports the Big Issue. A Bradford co-operative is giving residents the opportunity to have a stake in how a local building is brought back into community control, as […]
Veterans living in Kent are supporting a major campaign to raise awareness of former service people who are homeless, reports the BBC. The Great Tommy Sleep Out runs throughout March and is organised by the Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE). Individuals and groups can take part in the fundraising challenge to sleep outdoors for one […]
Local Government Association says figure to house homeless people in England will reach almost £4bn, reports the Guardian. The cost to councils of providing temporary accommodation for homeless people in England is projected to more than double to almost £4bn by 2029–30, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said. The national membership body for councils […]
An estimated 231 people died while homeless in Scotland in 2024. Crisis Scotland called for a ‘laser focus on ending all forms of homelessness’ to prevent people dying on the streets, reports the Big Issue. The number of people who died while homeless in Scotland remains at “shocking” levels, a homelessness charity has warned in […]
