Middle classes are Britain's new homeless: State safety nets are gone

[marmar]

from the Independent UK:



Britain faces an "unprecedented and escalating" housing crisis, charities warned yesterday, with middle-class families at greater risk of homelessness than at any point in the past century.

Geoff Hawkins, chief executive of the housing charity Chapter 1, said the problem was no longer confined to the stereotype of rough sleepers rehabilitating from lifelong addictions, but now includes victims of recession who do not qualify for appropriate help.

The housing charity Shelter, meanwhile, accused the Government of dismantling the housing safety net that helps so many people to stay in their homes.

The number of people requesting council housing in the first quarter of 2011 jumped to 26,400, an increase of 23 per cent on the previous year, according to official figures. Home repossessions are also up, rising 17 per cent in the first three months of 2011, to 9,613. .............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/middle-classes-are-britains-new-homeless-state-safety-nets-are-gone-2309902.html

[lovuian]

1. the worker will rise up

how many people can live in tents on the island conservatives?

[dipsydoodle]

2. Chances are,

over here , that those who never refinanced their homes after they bought them are doing just fine whereas some who refinanced to effectively spend the increased value of their homes elsewhere are now up to their necks in it. It was however their own choice albeit they didn't see the likelyhood of the shit hitting the fan late 2007. Those who'd already suffered from similar circumstances late eighties when interest rates went through the roof probably didn't make similar mistakes.

The situation has had the desirable effect of lowering average house prices here which is for the overall good. It was "easy money" which had inflated their values.

[provis99]

3. you voted Tory, Britain, so tough shit.