Charity Reports Rise in Employed Individuals Living in Tents Amidst Worsening Homelessness

A charitable organization assisting the homeless population has reported a “huge increase” in requests for help, noting a rise in employed individuals residing in tents on the streets of north Devon. The Salvation Army indicates a deterioration in the homelessness situation, with a growing number of individuals resorting to temporary stays with others (sofa surfing) or inhabiting vehicles and tents. Captain Mark Read, who oversees the Salvation Army’s operations in North Devon, attributes the increase in homeless working individuals to a scarcity of housing options locally. Mr. Read stated: “These are not the standard rough sleepers that we’ve experienced before.” He further commented: “Sometimes these are working people that it’s just been one missed pay cheque, one broken relationship and suddenly they’ve slipped through the net into a world of rough sleeping.” Data from North Devon Council’s strategy and resources committee reveals that 985 individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness approached the council for assistance during the last year. Within the county, only Exeter recorded a higher number of requests, with 1,135 approaches. Recent statistics released by the charity Shelter indicated an estimated 244 homeless individuals in north Devon as of June 30, 2024, an increase from 187 on the corresponding date in 2023. The Salvation Army emphasized the necessity for a more customized approach to individuals in crisis and increased investment in local infrastructure. Mr. Read expressed that the charity felt “really encouraged” by the local authority’s recent “creative and courageous moves” to invest in properties, aiming to restore them to active use within the region.