Excessive Focus on Homelessness by Shelter.

Tim Worstall challenges Shelter’s report on homelessness in England, arguing that the figures are inflated and the situation is not as dire as presented. He acknowledges that Britain has housing problems, advocating for more and cheaper housing, but contends that the issue of families becoming genuinely homeless has largely been addressed. He questions Shelter’s methodology, highlighting their inclusion of individuals in temporary accommodation as “homeless,” even when they have been provided with shelter within a short timeframe. Worstall specifically takes issue with Shelter’s example of a woman and her daughter who found temporary accommodation within eight hours of being evicted, arguing that this demonstrates the effectiveness of the existing welfare system.

The core of Worstall’s argument revolves around the distinction between rough sleeping and the broader definition of homelessness used by Shelter. He points out that the number of rough sleepers, around 3,900, is significantly lower than the 354,000 figure cited by Shelter. He attributes rough sleeping primarily to mental health and addiction issues, suggesting that the solution lies in improved “Care in the Community” programs rather than housing policy. Worstall emphasizes that Shelter’s figures include individuals who are housed by the welfare system, arguing that these individuals are not truly homeless. He asserts that Shelter’s own examples, like the woman placed in a one-bedroom flat, demonstrate that the system is working to prevent genuine homelessness.

Worstall critiques Shelter’s use of the term “homeless” to encompass those in temporary accommodation, suggesting they are overstating the problem. He argues that while the temporary housing may not be ideal, it represents a significant improvement over street homelessness. He characterizes Shelter’s report as “hysteria” and “shrieking,” implying that their portrayal of the situation is overly dramatic and intended to alarm the public. Worstall maintains that while Britain has housing challenges, the welfare system is effectively preventing widespread homelessness, especially for families.

Worstall contends that the focus should be on increasing the availability and affordability of housing, which he believes will naturally alleviate the pressures on the system. He does not dismiss the need for better housing solutions but criticizes Shelter’s methodology for creating an exaggerated picture of homelessness. His argument hinges on the idea that temporary accommodation, while potentially imperfect, should not be equated with homelessness. He suggests that Shelter is conflating the need for better housing with the issue of absolute homelessness, thus misrepresenting the true scale of the problem.

By focusing on the example provided by Shelter, Worstall attempts to undermine the credibility of their report. He portrays the eight-hour timeframe for finding temporary accommodation as a success story rather than a cause for concern. He implies that Shelter is deliberately selecting extreme cases to generate public outrage and support for their agenda. Worstall’s critique is not aimed at denying the existence of housing problems but rather at challenging Shelter’s definition of homelessness and their interpretation of the data. He maintains that the current system, while imperfect, is effectively preventing large-scale homelessness.

Worstall concludes by reiterating his call for more and cheaper housing as the solution to Britain’s housing woes. He suggests that an increased supply of affordable housing will naturally address the issues raised by Shelter, rendering their concerns about temporary accommodation less relevant. He maintains that the focus should be on long-term solutions to housing affordability rather than on the perceived crisis of homelessness as depicted by Shelter. He reinforces his position that the welfare system is functioning adequately to prevent widespread street homelessness and that Shelter’s report misrepresents the reality of the situation.