How the Cost of Living Crisis Is Worsening Homelessness
The cost of living crisis that has gripped the UK in recent years has had a profound and devastating impact on homelessness. Rising energy bills, soaring food prices, and — most critically — rapidly increasing rents have pushed more people to the edge of homelessness than at any point in recent memory. In Brighton, where the cost of living is already well above the national average, the impact has been particularly severe.
Rents in Brighton
Brighton is one of the most expensive cities to rent in England outside of London. Average rents for a one-bedroom flat frequently exceed £1,200 per month, and in central areas can be significantly higher. For anyone on a low income, relying on benefits, or working in insecure employment, these costs are simply unaffordable. When rent takes up more than half of someone’s income, any unexpected expense — a broken boiler, a car repair, a period of illness — can tip them into arrears and ultimately homelessness.
Benefits and the Affordability Gap
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) — the benefit that helps low-income renters pay their rent — has consistently failed to keep up with actual market rents. For many years, LHA rates were frozen, leaving a growing gap between what benefits cover and what landlords charge. Even after increases, the allowance often falls hundreds of pounds short of the actual cost of renting in Brighton.
The Impact on Working People
One of the most significant developments in recent years is the increase in working homelessness — people who are employed but still cannot afford to pay their rent and other bills. Zero-hours contracts, low wages, and high housing costs have created a situation where being in work is no longer a guarantee against homelessness. This has fundamentally changed the face of homelessness in Brighton.
What Needs to Change?
Addressing the housing crisis requires action at every level — from national government policy on housing supply and benefit levels, to local planning decisions, to investment in social housing. Organisations like Seaside CIC advocate for these changes while also providing direct support to those who fall through the cracks today.
Seaside CIC supports people in Brighton affected by the cost of living crisis. Contact us for help or to support our work.
