UK: Rise in homelessness in wake of COVID-19 could lead to 'human rights catastrophe'

Responding to new research from national homelessness charity Crisis which reveals that over half of frontline services have seen a rise in homelessness in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, Kate Allen, Amnesty International UK Director, said:

“As lockdown measures ease and frontline services warn they are at breaking point due to a rise in homelessness, the UK could be facing a human rights catastrophe. 

“It is vital the Government provides long-term and sustainable housing solutions – ensuring those who were housed as part of the emergency measures are not evicted.

“Those who have been hit hard by the economic fallout of the pandemic must also be guaranteed safe, affordable and secure housing to avoid even more people being made homeless.

“No one should be left without a safe place to stay including because of COVID-19 and its fall-out.”