Squatting

According to our research on squatting, 39 per cent of single homeless people have squatted. Most have no alternative, in fact, people are forced to squat because there is not enough homelessness service provision, especially for single people.

Squatting is dangerous and conditions can be appalling. Squatters often survive without heating, electricity or running water. Fire hazards and other dangers are commonplace, as are rats. All of this can cause or exacerbate health problems.

• Find out more about squatting.
• Find out more about single homelessness

Crisis campaign on squatting

The Government is about to carry out a consultation on a range of proposals on squatting, including criminalisation.

Crisis is campaigning against these proposals. Squatters aleady face a range of legal sanctions and, with homelessness on the rise, we would not want to see them faced with risking being criminalised simply for trying to put a roof over their head.

• Read our joint letter, with 10 other homelessness organisations, to Crispin Blunt MP, Justice Minister
• Read what our recent research into hidden homelessness found out about squatting

Squatting in the media

• Criminalising squatting will hit homeless, charities warn in the Guardian
• Squatters: Who are they and why do they squat? on the BBC News website
• Criminalising squatting will merely make the problem worse in the Guardian