Crisis Charity Takes Bold Step to Tackle England's Growing Homelessness
Published 10 November 2025
Highlights
- New research by Crisis reveals that homelessness in England is underreported, with nearly 300,000 people experiencing severe conditions.
- Crisis plans to become a landlord to address the housing crisis, marking a significant shift in its 60-year history.
- The number of people in unsuitable temporary accommodation has more than doubled since 2020, reaching 46,700 in 2024.
- Government investment in homelessness services is set to increase by £316 million in 2025/26, but critics call for more immediate action.
- Crisis aims to acquire at least 1,000 homes in its first phase to provide social housing, starting in London and Newcastle.
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Rewritten Article
Crisis Charity Takes Bold Step to Tackle England's Growing Homelessness
In a groundbreaking move, the homelessness charity Crisis has announced plans to become a landlord, a first in its 60-year history, as it seeks to combat what it describes as a "catastrophic" housing crisis in the UK. This decision comes on the heels of a new study revealing that homelessness figures in England are significantly higher than official statistics suggest.
Alarming Rise in Homelessness
Research conducted by Crisis, in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, indicates that nearly 300,000 families and individuals are enduring the most severe forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping and living in unsuitable temporary accommodations. This figure marks a 21% increase since 2022. The study highlights that many affected individuals are not captured in official data, which relies on self-declaration to local authorities.
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We’ve never seen homelessness numbers this bad in living memory." He noted that the average age of death for homeless males has decreased from 47 to 44, underscoring the dire need for immediate intervention.
Crisis's New Role as a Landlord
In response to the escalating crisis, Crisis is launching a fundraising appeal to purchase housing stock, aiming to provide social housing for those in need. Downie remarked, "We don’t want to do this, but if nobody else is going to provide housing, we’ll do it ourselves." The charity plans to acquire at least 1,000 homes in its initial phase, focusing on London and Newcastle, with support teams ready to assist high-needs individuals.
This initiative reflects a significant shift in Crisis's approach, as it steps into a role traditionally filled by councils and housing associations. The charity has already established a lettings agency to facilitate access to private rented housing for its clients.
Government Response and Future Plans
The UK government has pledged to increase its investment in homelessness services by £316 million in 2025/26, bringing the total to £1 billion. However, Crisis and other advocates argue that more immediate action is necessary to address the growing number of people living in unsafe conditions.
Crisis's strategy to provide its own housing aims to demonstrate that the solution to homelessness lies in increasing housing availability. "Our strategy is to get to at least a thousand homes in the first phase," Downie stated, highlighting the charity's ambition to expand further.
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Scenario Analysis
The decision by Crisis to become a landlord could set a precedent for other charities facing similar challenges in the housing sector. If successful, this model may inspire a broader shift towards non-governmental solutions to homelessness. However, the charity's ability to secure sufficient funding and navigate the complexities of property management will be critical to its success.
Politically, the move may increase pressure on the government to accelerate its efforts in addressing the housing crisis. As homelessness figures continue to rise, the effectiveness of government policies and funding allocations will likely come under greater scrutiny. Experts suggest that a collaborative approach involving both public and private sectors may be necessary to achieve long-term solutions.
In a groundbreaking move, the homelessness charity Crisis has announced plans to become a landlord, a first in its 60-year history, as it seeks to combat what it describes as a "catastrophic" housing crisis in the UK. This decision comes on the heels of a new study revealing that homelessness figures in England are significantly higher than official statistics suggest.
Alarming Rise in Homelessness
Research conducted by Crisis, in collaboration with Heriot-Watt University, indicates that nearly 300,000 families and individuals are enduring the most severe forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping and living in unsuitable temporary accommodations. This figure marks a 21% increase since 2022. The study highlights that many affected individuals are not captured in official data, which relies on self-declaration to local authorities.
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "We’ve never seen homelessness numbers this bad in living memory." He noted that the average age of death for homeless males has decreased from 47 to 44, underscoring the dire need for immediate intervention.
Crisis's New Role as a Landlord
In response to the escalating crisis, Crisis is launching a fundraising appeal to purchase housing stock, aiming to provide social housing for those in need. Downie remarked, "We don’t want to do this, but if nobody else is going to provide housing, we’ll do it ourselves." The charity plans to acquire at least 1,000 homes in its initial phase, focusing on London and Newcastle, with support teams ready to assist high-needs individuals.
This initiative reflects a significant shift in Crisis's approach, as it steps into a role traditionally filled by councils and housing associations. The charity has already established a lettings agency to facilitate access to private rented housing for its clients.
Government Response and Future Plans
The UK government has pledged to increase its investment in homelessness services by £316 million in 2025/26, bringing the total to £1 billion. However, Crisis and other advocates argue that more immediate action is necessary to address the growing number of people living in unsafe conditions.
Crisis's strategy to provide its own housing aims to demonstrate that the solution to homelessness lies in increasing housing availability. "Our strategy is to get to at least a thousand homes in the first phase," Downie stated, highlighting the charity's ambition to expand further.
What this might mean
The decision by Crisis to become a landlord could set a precedent for other charities facing similar challenges in the housing sector. If successful, this model may inspire a broader shift towards non-governmental solutions to homelessness. However, the charity's ability to secure sufficient funding and navigate the complexities of property management will be critical to its success.
Politically, the move may increase pressure on the government to accelerate its efforts in addressing the housing crisis. As homelessness figures continue to rise, the effectiveness of government policies and funding allocations will likely come under greater scrutiny. Experts suggest that a collaborative approach involving both public and private sectors may be necessary to achieve long-term solutions.
