Breaking barriers that trap people in homelessness

 

 

The problem: Britain’s housing system is broken – and people are paying the price. 

A chronic shortage of affordable housing. Soaring rents. Stagnant wages. Discrimination. Cuts to essential welfare support. Across the UK, people are being pushed into homelessness by a system that no longer functions. 

People are being unfairly shut out of support systems simply because they don’t have savings, ID or a guarantor. They’re forced to navigate long waiting lists, rigid criteria, and landlords who won’t accept them. So even when a home is available, the hurdles are often too high to clear. This isn’t just difficult – it's deeply unjust. 

  • Only 2.7% of rental properties in Great Britain are affordable on housing benefits.  
  • Over 180,000 social homes in England have been lost in the last decade. 

Source: Crisis analysis of data from the Ministry of Housing. 

The solution: Your gift today could support Crisis’ strategic response to the challenges people face when trying to find a home. 

Together, we can change hundreds of lives – and push the system to change too. 

You and the Crisis community could help us: 

  • Build trusted relationships with landlords and open new routes into the private rental market for people who are too often overlooked. 
  • Ensure every home meets regulations for safety, quality, stability, and suitability. When a home falls short, we gather evidence to challenge landlords and push for long-term change. 
  • Provide long-term support through one-to-one coaching. Our Lead Workers stay with people as they settle in – helping them set up bills, understand their tenancy rights, access local services, and build confidence for the future. 
  • Push for housing reform as part of our wider campaigning to end homelessness. 

Massimo’s story and access to a safe and stable home

Massimo kneels in his garden while smiling.

When Massimo’s mother passed away, he struggled to cope which led to addiction, and rough sleeping. By the time he came to Crisis, he was in recovery – ready to rebuild, but still locked out of everything he needed to move forward. 

“No ID means no job. No job means no income. No income means no home. No home means no bank account. And round it goes – a system that locks people out at every turn.” 

A few friends let him stay for short spells, but sofa surfing offered no stability. Then he found a room in a shared house – but it was dangerous. 

“I was attacked. I lost my teeth. I was scared every day. I don’t know how I found the strength to walk into Crisis. And then I met Fiona (my Lead Worker). She was the first person who truly listened. She understood my desperation. She gave me hope.” 

First, his Lead Worker helped him to apply for new ID. Then we worked to find a landlord prepared to house someone who didn’t have a guarantor. We made sure the flat was safe and of a good standard, and then supported him with the rent deposit. 

“I knew I had people on my side who cared and were helping me keep the home, not just get it.” 

Fiona also helped Massimo re-enter the world of work, encouraging him to volunteer to rebuild his confidence, and train with Change Please – a social enterprise that helps people experiencing homelessness, primarily through barista training. 

“You feel like you’re part of something again. It gave me purpose. It gave me people.” 

Today, Massimo lives in a bright room in east London, surrounded by community. His story is a powerful reminder of what home should be – safe, supportive, permanent. 

Massimo smiles while changing the covers on his bed. His bedroom is bright and tastefully decorated.

£275 could help someone set up their home on their journey out of homelessness, helping pay for a bed, fridge, cooker or washing machine, as well as dinnerware, cookware and bedding.

£800 could contribute to a deposit for a one bed property to help someone secure a new place to live.

£1,600 could contribute to a deposit and first month's rent for a one bed property to help someone secure a new place to live. 

£2,112 could give someone two weeks of one-to-one support and coaching with one of our lead workers, helping them develop skills to find, secure and maintain a home or job. 

How your support helps people out of homelessness

When someone comes to Crisis for help out of homelessness, they receive a warm welcome from a member of our Engagement and Assessment team. 

We talk through their situation and make sure that anyone who would benefit from services, support and advice elsewhere are signposted and referred. When we are best placed to help, we rapidly allocate a Lead Worker and they become a Crisis member. Massimo, former Crisis member shared: 

“When I first came into Crisis, I was so depressed. I was consumed. I found the welcoming. I remember I spoke to José; he was the first one to speak to me. He spoke to me, I felt already much better.”  

At our Skylight centres, Lead Workers work side by side with members to create unique plans that address their specific needs – from finding stable homes to accessing healthcare, gaining qualifications or securing employment. Massimo, former Crisis member shared: 

“When I went to Crisis and I spoke with Fiona (my Lead Worker) she made me feel like I had hope, she was very understanding. She made me feel like she cared. I stayed in touch with her to try and do all sorts of other things, and I am happy I did that, because otherwise I don’t know how I would have ended up.” 

Crisis members can engage with our learning and skills programmes while working with their Lead Workers. Programmes include vocational training, technical qualifications and equipment to help someone find their way back into employment.  

Crisis members can also take part in arts and wellbeing sessions, and practical sessions to help with finding, securing, and maintaining a home. 

Massimo’s Lead Worker, Fiona, helped him to find a job. He shared:  

“Through Crisis, Fiona gave me the chance to go and work at the Ivy Café, Black Kings. Then when she saw that the job didn't go well, she didn't blame me and then she found me a place at Change Please. She was always so helpful. She made me meet so many people. She gave me a life.” 

The goal of all our work with Crisis members is for them to find a safe, decent, and affordable home. Massimo’s found a place to call home thanks to the support of his lead worker, he told us: 

“Crisis did a great job, I mean they found me the place, they gave me the deposit and – it is a private rental. Aside from the deposit and the rent, Fiona got me the bed and the mattress, a lot of things, the cutlery, all the things I needed actually.” 

Why donate to Crisis

We are the national charity for people facing homelessness. We know that homelessness is not inevitable. We know that together we can end it.

Your donation helps to fund our year-round work with people experiencing homelessness. We offer individual tailored support to help people access benefits, healthcare services, employment opportunities, and more.

Our main aim is to relieve the huge pressure of homelessness, by helping people find safe and affordable homes.

We campaign on the political changes needed to end homelessness for good and conduct research to understand and highlight the scale, causes and consequences of homelessness.

How we spend your pound

For every £1 we spend on fundraising, we raise £3.14 to fund our charitable services.

Our fundraising promise

We are registered with the Fundraising Regulator and promise to be honest, respectful, and accountable in how we treat you.

Where we give example stories about our members, we promise these are genuine experiences, even if their names or photos are changed to respect their privacy.

Although we cannot guarantee your donation will be spent on specific items or services, we can guarantee your donation will be used wherever it is needed most to help our work all year round with people facing homelessness.

Contact our Supporter Care team

Please contact our supporter helpline if you have any questions about making a donation to Crisis. You can also contact us if you would like to change the way we communicate with you.

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