Words, picture and video by Haeli Wilson
It’s no secret that homelessness not only in Islington but in London has reached an all-time high. Statistics from 2022 showed that on any given night, almost 2,000 people were homeless in Islington.
More data shows that the most common form of being homeless included living on the streets. The rise in the number of rough sleepers is largely attributed to the cost-of-living crisis, as it has become more and more difficult for many people to be able to afford rent.
The Big Issue reports that women are often missing from rough sleeping numbers because they tend to be less visible due to violence that occurs in the streets. This means that they take shelter in cafes, transport hubs and other places where they can shelter in relative safety.
“The UK government is spending £2 billion over three years tackling homelessness and rough spending. That breaks down to around £640m a year as it looks to deliver on a Conservative manifesto promise to end rough sleeping by 2024,” The Big Issue said.
Arpita Hota, 28, a Fashion Marketing Graduate from London Metropolitan University, says she often sees people asking for money to buy food near the Highbury and Islington Overground Station.
The Homelessness Prevention Grant was introduced by the UK Government around 2019 to give aid to those in need. In 2022 it was said that £654 million would be provided to councils in England over the next two years to help with implementing services in preventing and tackling the issue at hand.
Yen Ning, 27, a jewellery consultant, said the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many Londoners.
Islington Council is building more than 750 new council homes, which is also part of a bigger scheme for more homes in the future for this generation. These new homes would benefit all residents in the area and are also suitable for those who may be in a wheelchair.
Local residents have priority within the local settings policy, in particular those who are living in homes that do not meet their current needs.
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