The causes of homelessness are complex and often overlap. Here are some of the most common, and how CENS helps residents move forward
Privately Renting Pressure
Eviction from a privately rented home is a leading cause of homelessness. No-fault evictions and high rents have all contributed to CENS residents’ back story. Or they might have reached the end of a tenancy, and the landlord has increased the rent, making it unaffordable.
“I had a one-bed flat in Witham. When I first moved in there the rent was only £650 a month, by the time I was evicted for rent arrears, it had increased to £975. It might not sound that much for some people, but I had a zero-hour contract and some months I couldn’t get the hours to make ends meet. I always paid what I could, but over the last year I got into rent arrears. CENS are moving me into their move-on property soon so I can start looking for jobs again. The rent is affordable, and I have a bit of time to find a wage that will cover it and give me some extra money to save.” Martin, CENS resident
Substance Misuse Issues
The connection between mental health, addiction, and homelessness is clear. It can be difficult to maintain a tenancy when people are entrenched in the chaos and trauma of using illegal substances. Addiction does not discriminate, but it can be overcome, as our ex-resident Maria explains:
“I had a typical childhood, and my parents were very loving. I went to university and started working in London at a bank in my early twenties. By the time I was in my early thirties, I had a full-blown cocaine addiction. Despite my decent wage, my addiction was severe and I couldn’t keep up with day-to-day responsibilities. I kept having days off work and lost my job, which led to being unable to afford to live anywhere. I came to Colchester to live with my mum and get clean. I relapsed while at hers and she asked me to leave. That’s how I ended up at CENS. Thankfully, Beacon House arranged for me to go to rehab and while I was waiting for the space, I stayed at CENS. I am now 6 months clean. I am learning how to live again and taking each day as it comes.”
Family Breakdown
Without early intervention, people can be failed by the system and end up without anywhere stable to live. People who have been in the care system are statistically more likely to experience homelessness.
Ben, a care leaver, ended up rough sleeping when he fell out with his foster parents and ran out of friends to ask for help. He now has a two-year license with a supported accommodation provider in the Colchester area and is aiming to go back to college.
“I was taken into care at 12. Looking back, I should have been removed earlier but I couldn’t see that at the time – I just missed my mum. I didn’t feel understood by anyone, and I ended up in five different foster homes. Even though social care had a duty to help me until I’m 25, I didn’t take any help that was on offer and wanted to party all the time to forget what I had been through. I have felt more settled at CENS than anywhere else. They let me cook on Sundays which is fun as I love cooking. I would like to get some chef’s qualifications and get a job in a kitchen one day.”
How to Support CENS!
If you would like to help those facing homelessness in your community, why not become a one-off or monthly donor to CENS night shelter. Click here or use our donation page at the bottom.
Alternatively, you can pay for a person’s stay for one night by texting CENS to 70085 and donate just £4, which helps towards a hot meal, breakfast and a hot shower for someone at our shelter.
Another great way to support CENS is to sign up to Easyfundraising and turn your daily shopping into every day magic!
Easyfundraising partners with over 8,000 brands who will donate part of what you spend to a cause of your choice. It won’t cost you any extra. The cost is covered by the brand. Click here to sign up and support CENS!
