Rise in emergency calls to Shelter helpline in 2018

There has been a sharp rise in the proportion of calls to the Shelter Helpline from people at risk of homelessness, according to new data released by the housing charity.

The figures show there was an 8% rise in the proportion of calls taken by the Shelter Helpline from people at risk of homelessness so far in 2018 compared to 2017. Shelter Helpline staff expect a rise in calls throughout the festive period if this trend continues.

Worryingly, 44% of these emergency calls were also estimated to be coming from families. ​

People at risk of homelessness face a number of ‘risk factors’ to fall into this category. These factors include things like:

·         Receiving an eviction notice from the landlord

·         Falling into rent areas

·         Where someone has either suffered or is at risk of domestic abuse or violence

·         Disrepair where it is a risk to life or makes the property unreasonable to live in any longer

 

Shelter is calling on the public to help support the service by buying an item from the Marks & Spencer
‘Food on the Move Festive Collection for Shelter’, 5% of which goes directly to the charity.

Emily Dean, a helpline adviser for Shelter, said: “We’ve seen a rise in calls from the sharp end of the housing crisis. It’s definitely been getting worse in the last year, and we expect things to be especially bad over the winter months.

“We’re speaking to families who are really just a few days away from losing their homes and finding themselves with nowhere to go. This will be even tougher for people as the freezing nights start to close in.

“There’s no doubt we’re in the middle of a housing emergency right now, so supporting our Helpline has probably never been more important.”

Mike Barry, Director of Plan A at Marks & Spencer said: “We know our customers care about homelessness and purchasing lunch from our Festive Collection for Shelter is a simple way we can all help make a big difference this Christmas. With a sharp increase in calls to the Shelter helpline over the past year it’s important that we continue to support this meaningful cause.”

Taran, 52, who lives in Gravesend and works as a peer support officer in the NHS’s mental health services, got in touch with the Shelter Helpline back in May when she was faced with an eviction notice. She has since been moved up the housing waiting list and hopes to find a home in the next few months. Taran said: “I was absolutely terrified when I first read that eviction notice. There’s no feeling like being threatened with homelessness, it’s like your whole life is suddenly on a cliff edge.

“Shelter were really reassuring though, just when I needed some support the most. They always gave me really clear and spot on advice. I’m not sure how I would have coped without their help.”

Source of information Shelter

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Estate Agent Talk

Crafting Your Ideal Workspace: Desks and Chairs for Productivity

Creating a workspace that helps you stay focused and productive starts with the basics. The desk and chair you choose are not just pieces of furniture. They influence your comfort, posture, and ability to concentrate throughout the day. A well-planned setup can make a noticeable difference in how efficiently you work. Choosing the Right Desk…
Read More
Breaking News

New research spotlights AML compliance vulnerabilities for estate agents

This comes amid the news that almost 200 estate and lettings agents have been fined by HMRC for AML failings New research from client due diligence platform Thirdfort reveals that senior managers in estate agencies are not taking AML compliance seriously enough. Despite many taking the threat of money laundering very seriously, some 54% of…
Read More
Breaking News

House survey enquiries surge in 2025

Enquiries for house surveys have risen sharply in the first half of 2025, up over 83% compared to the same period in 2024. More buyers are taking the condition of a property seriously before committing, showing a clear shift towards due diligence.  Compare My Move’s research reveals that Level 2 and Level 3 house surveys…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Price is key as sellers compete for buyers with big July price drop

The average price of property coming to the market for sale drops by 1.2% (-£4,531) this month to £373,709. With the number of available homes still at a decade-high level, summer sellers are pricing even more competitively to attract buyer interest: London is the biggest regional driver of new seller asking price falls this month…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

5 Top Tips for Improving Your Home for Selling

Selling your home can be a lengthy process, often with a long wait for potential buyers to view and make an offer on your property. However, there are ways you can speed up the process and make your home appealing to the masses for a quick sale. If you’re hoping to create the vision of…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

How will Blockchain Revolutionise Real Estate

The Blockchain technology has been one of the most path-breaking innovations in modern times, radically changing how businesses and industries conduct their operations. Today, more and more sectors are realising the benefits of taking their core activities to the Blockchain platform. It is not the financial sector or real estate sector or any other private…
Read More