A new report, Sussex Uncovered 3, published by Sussex Community Foundation, shows a steep rise in homelessness and insecure housing across Sussex.
You can view the report here
Sussex Uncovered reports that homelessness – those identified as being in priority need – has risen by 38% across Sussex in the four years between 2013/14 and 2017/18. In some areas, it has risen by much more – Adur (280%), Eastbourne (255%) and Rother (205%).
“Homelessness is a complex issue and there are a number of reasons behind these figures,” says Chief Executive, Kevin Richmond. “In part they are due to changes in legislation which require local authorities to assess people in housing need, but they also demonstrate the impact of welfare reforms and universal credit. Perhaps most of all they highlight that the cost of housing has increased dramatically in recent years while most people’s income has remained static. This is causing real problems for many people. The increasing levels of poverty among people who are working is one of the most shocking facets of our time.”
There is 5% less social housing in Sussex than in England as a whole.
Other key findings in the report show that:
- 37,000 children are living in poverty in Sussex
- there is a 14.5 year difference in life expectancy between men living in the least and most deprived areas of Sussex
- there is an 18.9 year difference in life expectancy between women living in the least and most deprived areas of Sussex.
“Our overall finding is that Sussex is a great place to live if you can afford it, but there are many who struggle to get by,” said Mr Richmond. “Our work at the Foundation also shows that, while there are challenges, there is a thriving community and many people passionate about seeing positive changes.”
You can dig deeper into the data on a unique website developed with researchers where you can search and use the data most relevant and useful to you.
|
Area |
Number of homeless in priority need (13/14) |
Homeless in priority need per 1,000 households (13/14) |
Number of homeless in priority need (17/18) |
Homeless in priority need per 1,000 households (17/18) |
Percentage increase in homelessness 2013/14 to 2017/18 |
|
Sussex |
1,313 |
1.97 |
1,816 |
2.44 |
38.3% |
|
South East |
6,020 |
1.66 |
7,710 |
2.03 |
28.1% |
|
England |
52,290 |
2.32 |
56,600 |
2.41 |
8.2% |
|
East Sussex |
308 |
1.30 |
685 |
2.78 |
122.4% |
|
West Sussex |
495 |
1.62 |
639 |
1.74 |
29.1% |
|
Brighton & Hove |
510 |
4.13 |
492 |
3.80 |
-3.5% |
|
Eastbourne |
33 |
0.72 |
117 |
2.46 |
254.5% |
|
Hastings |
104 |
2.50 |
260 |
6.10 |
150.0% |
|
Lewes |
50 |
1.16 |
66 |
1.47 |
32.0% |
|
Rother |
40 |
0.97 |
122 |
2.83 |
205.0% |
|
Wealden |
81 |
1.26 |
120 |
1.76 |
48.1% |
|
Adur |
10 |
0.36 |
38 |
1.33 |
280.0% |
|
Arun |
109 |
1.60 |
204 |
2.86 |
87.2% |
|
Chichester |
37 |
0.73 |
38 |
0.73 |
2.7% |
|
Crawley |
185 |
4.19 |
181 |
3.92 |
-2.2% |
|
Horsham |
109 |
1.95 |
95 |
1.63 |
-12.8% |
|
Mid Sussex |
45 |
0.77 |
37 |
0.60 |
-17.8% |
|
Worthing |
Not available |
Not available[1] |
46 |
0.92 |
Not available |
Data: Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, 2018.
Sussex Community Foundation raises funds for and makes grants to local charities and community groups. Since 2006, we have raised over £37 million to support communities across Sussex. More information at www.sussexgiving.org.uk
[1] Any values that are less than 0.5 are suppressed and not published.