Crisis warns of rising homelessness

The UK is facing a ‘homelessness timebomb’ as a third of people would lose their homes within three months if they lost their job, a survey said. The poll commissioned by the charity Crisis revealed 33 per cent of the working population could face homelessness in as little as three months if they were to join the increasing numbers of unemployed people. Last week the British Chambers of Commerce warned that unemployment could peak at 3.25 million - more than 10 per cent of the workforce - if Government bids to kick start the economy were inadequate. Crisis said: ‘If unemployment continues to rise, the knock-on effect of a rise in homelessness could occur very soon.’