Relocation away from local area can be positive for homeless households, survey suggests

News22.03.21by James Wilmore

Three-quarters of homeless households moved away from their local area into permanent social housing report a positive impact on their life including improved mental health, according to a new survey.

Picture: Getty

Sharelines

Three-quarters of homeless households move away from their local area into permanent social housing report a positive impact on their life including improved mental health, according to a new survey #UKhousing

The study of 690 applicants by lettings service Homefinder UK found that the leading reasons people wanted to move away were long stays in temporary accommodation, homelessness or the threat of it, and fleeing domestic abuse.

Of those moving out of their area into a permanent social home, 73% stated they were happy and settled in their new environment, the study found.

Improved mental health and well-being was cited as the top benefit, followed by the right size of home and lower rents, according to the poll.

“Through the responses analysed in this paper, one thing became apparent – people are willing to move out of their local area and restart their life in another part of the country, and for those who voluntarily opt for a longer-distance housing move, a positive change can follow,” said Mark Meehan, chair of Homefinder and chief housing officer at Hammersmith & Fulham Council.

Just over half of movers relocated from one side of the country to the other. However, the survey also revealed the South of England as the highest-demand area.

The study found that 47% moved between London boroughs.

Councils in London often place homeless households in temporary accommodation long distances outside of the capital in an effort to control costs, but the practice is controversial.

Latest government figures show that as of June 2020, 98,300 households were in temporary accommodation.

Last May, Homefinder was among a number of groups to call for social housing providers to prioritise domestic abuse survivors when allocating homes, amid reports that incidences of abuse were rising during the coronavirus lockdown.