Liverpool’s Homelessness Crisis Ignored By Government

Harrowing new figures show the extent of city’s emergency – but government fail to respond, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The government has been accused of ignoring Liverpool’s spiralling homelessness crisis – as harrowing new figures lay out the scale of the emergency in the city. The situation in Liverpool has been described as “unprecedented and unsustainable” as more and more people become homeless through a perfect storm of problems.

The leader of Liverpool Council, Cllr Liam Robinson, and the council’s cabinet member for housing, Cllr Sarah Doyle, have today written a second letter to Secretary of State Michael Gove on the issue of soaring homelessness in the city, having not received a response to their initial letter, which declared the mounting homelessness issue in the city as an emergency. In the letter, they state: “We wrote to you two weeks ago requesting urgent support with the unprecedented homelessness situation we are seeing in Liverpool. This is inextricably linked to the increase in no fault evictions and the acceleration of decisions for refugees and asylum seekers.”

The council leadership team said that since their last letter, they have received “harrowing” figures detailing the extent of the issue locally. One of the council’s key service providers has supported 1400 people alone in various types housing need during October alone. The letter explains how the major issue of fast-tracked asylum decisions leading to homelessness for refugees, previously reported on by the ECHO, continues to put “enormous pressure on local services”. The letter explains: “To put this into context, last year there were 358 people presenting who either had been granted leave to remain or had a failed asylum decision. In just the past three months (Aug-Oct), one service has seen more people in this asylum cohort than in the entirety of 2022. And these numbers are set to rise further throughout the winter.”

The council previously stated that its commissioned services and voluntary sector partners are reporting that they cannot cope with this volume of people needing help with issues accessing interpreters and private rented accommodation. Cllrs Robinson and Doyle also referred to an open letter that has now been signed by 141 local health care professionals in relation to this crisis that calls for urgent support.

That letter, which has been signed by 91 Liverpool doctors states: “It is well recognised that any period of homelessness will be harmful to one’s physical health. However, with the winter approaching fast we are concerned that, now particularly, people are at significant risk of ill-health due to homelessness. Without assistance many people will be forced to sleep rough significantly increasing risk of death. Further, individuals who have been granted refugee status are recognised by the Government as having fled persecution; many having already suffered persecution, harm, and ill-treatment in their country of origin. These individuals have lost their home, culture, family, and friends. By virtue of being a refugee they have already suffered a great deal. Levels of mental ill health; Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety are extremely high in this population.”

Cllrs Robinson and Doyle said they awaited the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement in the hope that further financial support would be made available to help Liverpool tackle this emergency, adding: “We are deeply frustrated that no extra support has been put in place and cannot stress enough, the inhumane conditions, stress and health impacts homeless people are facing as local authorities and their partners struggle to meet the overwhelming demand.”

The letter to Mr Gove adds: “We would urge you to please read and respond to our previous letter with the upmost urgency it deserves. The current pressure on the system is unsustainable. We will continue to do what we can with the scarce resources we have. However, we must highlight to you and your colleagues that without extra support and a clear long-term plan on this issue, we fear for the wellbeing of all those seeking warmth, safety and a home as we head into winter.”