'True plight' of squatters exposed by research
3 October 2011
Squatters have been revealed as some of the most vulnerable of all homeless people by research published as the Government consultation into criminalisation of squatting comes to an end.
The research reveals that squatters are more likely than other homeless people to suffer from a range of disadvantages, from mental and physical ill health to learning disabilities to drug and alcohol dependency.
Squatting: a homelessness issue was undertaken by the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR), Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of homelessness charity Crisis. The report draws on analysis from a range of previous research into homelessness and squatting.
The research concludes that criminalising squatters will criminalise a very vulnerable group of people and that far from being a criminal justice issue, squatting should be treated as a welfare and housing issue.
Dr Kesia Reeve, leader of the research at CRESR, said: "The true plight of squatters revealed by this report is deeply shocking. They have extremely high incidences of mental and physical ill health, learning disabilities, drug and alcohol dependency and a raft of other disadvantages. They squat out of necessity, not choice, in atrocious conditions where they are least likely to be disturbed. These are people that need help - not criminalisation."
Key findings from the research:
- Squatting was found to be a common amongst homeless people. 40% of those surveyed had squatted at some point, with 6% on any one night.
- Homeless people squat out of necessity, often as the only alternative to sleeping on the street.
- Most homeless people who squat (78%) have approached their local council for help and although they were recognised as homeless they were not entitled to housing as they did not meet the strict set criteria to be considered a priority. The assistance they were offered was either non-existent of little use
- People with limited access to welfare benefits and single people who are not a priority for social housing are much more likely to end up squatting as the only way to resolve their homelessness
- Every homeless squatter surveyed occupied empty, abandoned buildings including flats awaiting demolition, disused warehouses or empty schools. Squatters preferred properties where they were least likely to attract attention.
- The vast majority of squats were in poor condition, with broken windows, lack of water, heating and electricity, damp and vermin all common.
Leslie Morphy, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: "It is clear from this research that many people who resort to squatting do so out of sheer desperation, and in appalling conditions. If the Government must change a law it should be to ensure all homeless people get the help they desperately need from local councils instead of criminalising some very vulnerable people."
On 5 October a three month Government consultation into criminalisation of squatting comes to an end. It is already a criminal offence to refuse to leave someone's home or a house that they are about to move in to.
Ends
Notes to editor
For further media information or to request an interview with a Crisis spokesperson, please contact Garry Lemon, Media Communications Manager at Crisis, on 020 7426 3880 or garry.lemon@crisis.org.uk
Full research can be found here: http://www.crisis.org.uk/publications-search.php?fullitem=327
Detailed research findings:
Who squats?
- 40% of single homeless people have squatted at some point, with 6% at any one time. 21% of single homeless women and 46% of single homeless people with complex needs have all squatted at some point
- People with mental ill health were consistently proven to be more likely to resort to squatting. Most recent (2011) findings are 46% of single homeless people with mental ill health have squatted, compared to 36% of those without
- Other factors which were more prevalent in single homeless squatters were: physical ill health (42%); a history of care (34%); drug dependency (47%); learning disability (15%); childhood homelessness (15%); self harm (21%)
Why do people squat?
- The evidence consistently points to squatting as a response to housing need
- Most homeless people who squat (78%) have approached a local authority for help and most of these are recognised as homeless but not considered a priority for housing
- Most homeless people try other avenues before moving into a squat but are thwarted by scarcity or expense of provision, such as hostels, B&Bs and shelters
- Squatting is often the last resort to avoid rough sleeping. 90% of squatters had slept rough
Where do people squat?
- Squatters occupy empty buildings, including flats awaiting demolition, derelict abandoned residential and commercial properties
- A key concern for squatters was that they do not attract attention to themselves
- None of the squatters interviewed in any of the research reports had squatted properties occupied by an owner or tenant
- Squats are often in poor condition with broken windows, lack of running water, heat and electricity, vermin, damp and fire risks common
- Conditions are so poor squatters' physical health can be damaged
- Squatters are often disengaged from services and welfare benefits
Squatting, media coverage and the law
Recent media coverage misrepresenting the law around squatting provoked a letter from over 160 legal professionals to the Guardian newspaper. It is already a criminal offence for a squatter to refuse to leave someone's home or a house that they are about to move in to. Owners of properties which are not their home can seek a possession order through the civil courts. They can also apply for an Interim Possession Order, which normally takes a few days to be made and served. Squatters are committing a criminal offence if they then do not leave within 24 hours. Squatters can also be prosecuted for related offences including criminal damage or using utilities such as gas and water without paying for them.
Find out more about what Crisis is doing to campaign against the criminalisation of squatters.
Sheffield Hallam University's Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research (CRESR) is one of the UK's leading academic research centres specialising in social and economic regeneration, housing and labour market analysis. For more information, go to www.shu.ac.uk/cresr
Background on Crisis
Crisis is the national charity for single homeless people. We are dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Our innovative education, employment, housing and well-being services address individual needs and help people to transform their lives. We are determined campaigners, working to prevent people from becoming homeless and advocating solutions informed by research and our direct experience. We have ambitious plans for the future and are committed to help more people in more places across the UK. We know we won't end homelessness overnight or on our own. But we take a lead, collaborate with others and, together, make change happen.