Urgent Rise in Homelessness Referrals in Lincolnshire Revealed

URGENT UPDATE: East Lindsey District Council reports a staggering increase in homelessness referrals, with 468 referrals for 208 individuals recorded between April 2024 and March 2025. This marks a significant rise from the previous year’s total of 440 referrals for 362 people, highlighting a concerning trend in the region.

During a meeting on October 14, 2024, council officials stressed the urgency of the situation, noting that the rise in referrals is exacerbated by myriad challenges, including the mobility of rough sleepers and difficulties in locating individuals in need. Carol Rippin, the team leader for the rough sleeping intervention team at the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership, stated, “We have an increasing number of referrals and we also have challenges including the mobility of rough sleepers, vague information safety risks and non-engagement.”

The impact of rising housing costs is particularly severe for young people, according to Rippin. “The cost of living and universal credit limitations make housing unaffordable, especially for under-25-year-olds,” she emphasized. Landlords are increasingly selective, often preferring tenants with stable employment over individuals relying on benefits, which leaves many vulnerable individuals in a precarious situation.

Rippin continued, “These people are lost to the system, lost to themselves, and lost to their friends and family. We need to find them and discover and recover their abilities and life skills.”

In response to this crisis, the district council’s rough sleeping team is actively collaborating with various partners to mitigate homelessness across East Lindsey. “We’re looking at preventing rough sleeping wherever possible, and wherever it does occur, it is rare, brief, and non-recurrent,” Rippin added. The team is focusing on addressing key issues such as addiction, mental health, and re-offending, while building trust with those affected.

Despite the rising numbers, a glimmer of hope emerged as Rippin reported that 113 individuals were successfully assisted in finding accommodation in the past year, with most now residing in privately rented or social housing. However, the challenge remains daunting, as some individuals sleeping rough express a reluctance to accept help, complicating efforts to support everyone in need.

As the situation evolves, the East Lindsey District Council is committed to tackling these challenges head-on, ensuring that support systems are in place for those vulnerable to homelessness. Authorities are urging the community to remain vigilant and supportive, especially as these figures continue to climb.

Residents and local organizations are encouraged to share this information and lend their support, as addressing homelessness is a collective responsibility. Stay tuned for further updates as the council works tirelessly to combat this growing crisis in East Lindsey.