Quakers to help ‘hidden homeless’
The Homelink project aims to help the growing problem of hidden homelessness
Friends have been urged to rent out their spare rooms to single people at risk of homelessness. Quaker Social Action (QSA), who made the appeal, say there are thousands of people who are ‘vulnerably housed’ but not technically labelled as homeless. Single people are often at the bottom of waiting lists for social housing, as they rarely meet the criteria to be a high priority. The phenomenon known as ‘hidden homelessness’ can involve people sleeping on friends’ sofas or floors, sometimes moving frequently between different people’s houses.
The situation is likely to worsen in January, when single people under 35 will no longer qualify for housing benefit if they occupy a privately rented flat on their own. The age limit is currently 25.
QSA is appealing to all Friends with spare rooms in the London area to consider renting them out via their ‘Homelink’ project. This helps by providing a bond guarantee to protect landlords, as well as giving advice and support. All potential lodgers will have been assessed by QSA.
‘Becoming homeless wasn’t my fault, but it makes you feel very unsure and vulnerable. It’s demeaning,’ explained Leon, a man who last week moved into a spare room as a result of the Homelink scheme. He explained: ‘I was also afraid what employers would think as I couldn’t even put an address on application forms.’
