True scale of UK homelessness hidden: Think tank

A leading think tank says the true scale of homelessness in the UK is much higher than official figures show, Press TV reports.

According to think thank Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) North, official statistics reveal only a fraction of homeless households while others are compelled to live in temporary accommodation, including privately-run hostels, which might lack basic facilities.

“Research undertaken… has detailed unacceptable standards in various aspects of premises management, including poor security and poor buildings maintenance, shower and toilet facilities being out of order for long periods of time, poor heating, and repeated incidents of drug-related violence on the premises,” the IPPR North noted.

Bill Davies, with the IPPR and co-author of the report, told the Press TV correspondent, “We don’t have a clear idea of the extent of the problem because official statistics don’t count the magnitude” of homelessness in the UK,” adding that “the scale of the problem is around the magnitude of ten compared to official statistics.”

The IPPR North report is based partly on an earlier study by the North East Regional Homelessness Group. In its study, the group cited examples of people being required to carry out unpaid work for landlords under threat of eviction and sexual abuse.

The latest report by IPPR North comes as the high accommodation costs are driving families to the streets or forcing them to unsuitable living arrangements.