How to Deal with a Forced Cost of Living Crisis 

Threat of Eviction & Homelessness

The situation -

Having a secure home is crucial to overall health, these days it seems to be deemed as a luxury so many people just cannot seem to experience. According to the charity Crisis growing numbers of people are forced into horrific situations because of becoming homeless and warns more will be faced with this reality if this situation keeps escalating.

Polly Neate, chief executive of the charity Shelter says, “we are facing the perfect storm for homelessness to rise.” She goes on to further state “No parent should have to choose between putting heating on, food on the table or paying their rent, but that is the reality for many families right now.”

Experts predict repossessions could double, as 2022 draws to its end. With many more homeowners falling into arrears, missing mortgage payments, falling into debt leading to potentially losing their homes.

The rates of borrowing such as mortgages are rising from 4.74% to 5.24%. Base mortgage rate is rising from 3.25% to 3.75% according to experts at We Buy Any Home.

There is also a real issue with the current benefits system and housing. The average rent is 70% higher than the current housing allowance, and only 30% lower than the housing allowance.

This means that people just cannot afford suitable accommodation in suitable areas to make a stable home environment. This leaves the most vulnerable living in poor quality housing and unable to maintain housing in an adequate way.

Renters are being hit hard, with rent going up and the cost of living rising rapidly eviction weighs heavy in their hearts as Winter threatens to wipe them out financially. It is reported many renters are already being forced to go without food. Not only that they are going without heating for several days in order to keep a roof over their heads.

The charity Shelter reports 1 in 4 renters cannot keep their home warm as the cost of fuels surges. 26% of adult renters in England (5.3 million people) already (before sept 2022) say they cannot keep their homes warm during the winter months.

Facing homelessness has an enormous impact on mental health. Being homeless also becomes a huge barrier to getting mental health support. It knocks confidence and leads to feelings of inadequacy. Along with shame, guilt, and stress.

There is still a stigma attached to homelessness, yet the truth is more people are closer to this reality than society wants to admit. With it becoming the norm to live pay-check to pay- check, and no savings to fall back on, lack of financial security leads to lack of home security too. Many of the most vulnerable of society are just not getting the support they need.

Helpful ideas/suggestions -

Whatever your situation you maybe can find something here, even if it just one or two things you had not yet thought of.

Just take what works for your personal situation and do not worry about the rest. Or maybe you can offer them as suggestions to people who will benefit from them.

Shelter is running an emergency helpline that offers advice for private renters facing eviction

Respond to letters and phone calls – let creditors know your situation

Keep a record of every letter and phone call

Speak to property owner/ letting agent – tell them your situation

Look into extra support / benefits

Energetics -

Not feeling safe in your environment or like it is a place you can settle down in, can prevent us from feeling secure.

Energetically this highlights not feeling safe and secure within ourselves.

Some experts say there is a link between spiritual homelessness and physical homelessness. Often those who feel shunned or not welcomed in by society or the community, or perhaps family or peers are more likely to experience homelessness too.

Sometimes the fear of homelessness is the very thing that pulls the experience towards us. The focus on it becomes all-consuming and part of our personal story in the end if we let it override our good senses and judgement.

Worthiness also plays a huge part. Some do not feel worthy of a home. They settle for less than they deserve. They push away unconsciously good experiences.

When a person has had their confidence stripped away for whatever reason this prevents them from creating a safe and secure home environment for themselves.

Long term homeless people say they feel like they are treated and seen as less than Human.

There is a real distain towards them. This level of contempt and disgust chips away at self-esteem and confidence.

It is fair to say those who find themselves homeless are energetically homeless long before it manifests in the physical.

Homelessness is more than not having a roof over your head. It is emotionally rooted, and manifests in the physical when the correct emotional and mental support is not available.

People who find themselves homeless are stripped of security, routine, and social aspects of community life.

The life is generally sucked from them, and their spirit left broken due to their needs not being met.

One quote from a Manchester man sleeping rough on the streets sums it up when he says, “life is overrated”. This is how many rough sleepers are left to feel, they believe they have no quality of life and nothing worth living for.

There are different kinds of homelessness. Some find themselves staying with friends and family for a while. Others with no fixed abode stay in a bed and breakfast or hostel.

Some people living at risk of violence find themselves homeless as they do their best to escape the situation. For others it is due to living in poor conditions that become a risk to their health.

Or perhaps it is down to living in an overcrowded home or due to an insecure tenancy.

Healing -

There are different kinds of homelessness.

Some find themselves staying with friends and family for a while. Others with no fixed abode stay in a bed and breakfast or hostel.

Some people living at risk of violence find themselves homeless as they do their best to escape the situation.

For others it is due to living in poor conditions that become a risk to their health.

Or perhaps it is down to living in an overcrowded home or due to an insecure tenancy.

The truth is many people become homeless for lots of different reasons. Social factors such as lack of affordable housing, poverty as well as unemployment. Also, life events can cause homelessness.

When people leave care, the army or prison they often have nowhere to go and are forced into homelessness.

So many women find themselves homeless to escape abusive relationships.

And as we will now see a rise due to the cost-of-living crisis it can be because people can no longer afford their rent.

In nearly all cases of homelessness it is preventable and according to the charity Crisis in every case it can be ended.

More support is needed, and the stigma attached to homelessness must go. The stereotypical story of what homelessness is and looks like is far from the true reality.

Yes, obviously some people will find themselves homeless due to bad choices, drugs, alcohol, and mental health issues. Yet it is also hard working, ordinary, clean-living people, who were forced to live pay-check to pay-check and got behind on the rent or got into debt.

Families who were forced to live under the breadline, lost a job, and could no longer afford their family home mortgage repayments.

The reality is that homelessness can be one missed payment away for a large number of households in this present day.

We must work on homelessness in a more holistic way. Get to the root cause and offer real support. Improve mental health, self-esteem, and overall well-being.

Let all walks of life feel appreciated, valued, and wanted. Embrace diversity and protect the most vulnerable of society.

The conditions in which people live must be improved. Working towards safer and more supportive places to live and stay. We need to normalise people to reach out for help and let them know their needs will be met, they will be heard, and support is available.

The public needs to be better educated about homelessness so that the stigma is eradicated once and for all. It is a basic human right for everyone to have a safe, secure, comfortable environment to live.

A home should not be seen as a luxury item or something unaffordable.

Affirmations -

My life matters

My life is important

My needs matter

I deserve A safe place to call my home

I am worthy and deserving of coming home to a space that feels secure, safe, warm, and peaceful when I shut my front door at the end of each day