Rough sleeping to triple inWales over next five years, warns charity
ROUGH sleepers in Cardiff have shared their experiences of living on the streets, as new figures predict homelessness could triple across Wales in the next five years.
Figures from homeless charity Crisis suggest the number of people in unsuitable temporary accommodation across Wales could double from 2016 to 2021, with the number of people sofa-surfing increasing by half to a total of 4,600.
The study’s findings, conducted by Heriot-Watt University, come as rough sleepers in Cardiff warn of a rising number of people on the city’s streets.
Lindy Prung, 32, from Caerphilly, has been homeless in Cardiff for the last four months, after being evicted from her home as she was affected by the bedroom tax.
Lindy said: “There are a lot more people that are homeless.
“I live in a tent, my dad died and I couldn’t keep up with my bedroom tax.
“I came to Cardiff as I was told there is more help for the homeless.”
Lindy said she tried to avoid homeless centres after having possessions stolen in the past.
She said: “I prefer not to go to the centres because of the drug use. You get your stuff stolen. There’s nowhere to go, it’s hard work. I have to beg every day to get a B&B which is £14.”
According to Crisis there were 300 people sleeping rough across Wales in 2016 at any one time, with 900 people in hostels and 600 in accommodation including squats and tents.
It is predicted the total number of homeless people in Wales will rise from 5,100 in 2016 to 6,800 in 2021.
Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “This year Crisis marks its 50th anniversary, but that’s little cause for celebration.
“We still exist because homelessness still exists, and today’s report makes it only too clear that unless we take action as a society, the problem is only going to get worse with every year that passes.”
Rough sleeper Ronny Currie has been homeless in Cardiff for the last 15 years after developing drug problems.
He said that in recent years the average age of people on the streets has dropped dramatically.
He said: “It’s getting a lot worse. Before I was the youngest when I was 18. Now you get all different ages, you see more young people than old.
“I know 15-year-olds that are on the street who can’t sort anything out, they have to go to homes and they can’t get accommodation.”
Gavin Thomas, 40, originally from Caerphilly, added: “I think its getting worse, you always know if anyone new is on the streets.
“There’s a lot of people that come from prison, a lot of people come from jail and go straight onto the streets.”
One former rough sleeper who did not wish to be named said homeless people often struggle to get jobs without secure accommodation.
He said: “Within the last three years alone the amount of rough sleepers that have come to Cardiff is ridiculous.
“People come to Cardiff from England or the Valleys because it’s a capital city and there’s supposed to be more help.”
The 37-year-old from Cardiff added that after becoming homeless at the age of 18 he was told there could be a wait of between five and 11 years to get accommodation.
He said: “I was 18 when I first became homeless, I was kicked out of home when I was 16 and put in the YMCA where I lost my room.
“It’s hard to get a job because you have nowhere to live and you can’t get somewhere to live without a job.
“If a homeless person does find an agency that takes benefits they ask for a deposit and that can be £800.”
Reacting to new figures, some charities have stressed the figures released by Crisis may be “underplaying the situation”.
A spokesperson for Shelter Cymru said: “Official figures show that in the last year, statutory homelessness increased by 58%. And the official rough sleeper count recorded a 72% rise in the number of people sleeping rough. Looking at these trends, the estimates in the Crisis report appear to underplay the true situation in Wales.
“Welsh Government took the brave decision to reform homelessness laws during a time of economic uncertainty and rising poverty levels, and now we are seeing those pressures really bite. Homelessness services across Wales are struggling to cope with high demand.”
Responding to the figures a Welsh Government spokesperson said an extra £2.1m would be used to tackle rough sleeping.
A spokesperson said: “An evaluation report of our homelessness legislation published yesterday found the increased focus on prevention introduced under the Housing (Wales) Act has helped prevent homelessness for a larger number of people than previously.
“However we recognise there is more to be done which is why we have announced an extra £2.1m to help tackle youth homelessness and rough sleeping.
“We are committed to an ambitious target of providing an additional 20,000 affordable homes during this term of government and are working closely with local authorities, housing associations and the private sector to achieve this.”