This report synthesises research commissioned by Crisis and other organisations about the nature and extent of squatting. It was commissioned to inform debate about squatting, particularly in the context of current Government proposals to criminalise squatting. 

Key findings

• Squatting is a common response to homelessness, with evidence suggesting that 40% of single homeless people squat (6% on any one night).
• Most homeless people who squat try other avenues for resolving their housing problems before turning to squatting. 
• Many squat as a last resort, when the only alternative is rough sleeping. The evidence suggests that the majority of squatters were sleeping rough immediately prior to squatting.
• Squatting, then, typically reflects a lack of other options, a scarcity of provision, and inadequate support and assistance to single homeless people.
• Many squatters have significant welfare needs including mental and physical health issues and other vulnerabilities. The evidence shows consistently that homeless people who squat have higher levels of needs than those who do not. The most recent study, for example, found that 34% of homeless people who squat had been in care, 42% had physical ill health or a disability; and 41% reported mental ill health (compared with 19%, 27%, and 32% respectively of homeless people who had not squatted)
• Homeless people who squat occupy empty, usually disused or abandoned property, not other people’s homes. Strengthening laws or enforcement activity against squatters in occupied buildings is likely to have minimal impact on levels of squatting but significant impact on squatters themselves.
• Squatting, then, is a homelessness and welfare issue, not a criminal justice issue. There is a need to acknowledge squatting as a manifestation of housing need and as a product of inadequate and insufficient support for single homeless people. Squatting needs to be debated within this context.

Reference 

Reeve, S. (2011) Squatting: a homelessness issue. London: Crisis.