A Hidden Crisis – Homelessness in the Countryside

March 2023

Turning Tides is at the heart of ground-breaking new research into escalating rural homelessness, launched by the Universities of Kent and Southampton recently.

The innovative, life-saving services created by Turning Tides – at speed – to reach people who otherwise would not receive help, feature as examples of best practice in this striking new report. Our mobile hub and Roffey Place accommodation both came into service in the second half of 2022, as an immediate response to what we could see happening across rural West Sussex.

Homelessness in the Countryside: A Hidden Crisis found that rural areas saw a 24% increase in rough sleeping in 2022, compared to the previous year.

The report comes just a few weeks after the government’s own figures about homelessness were published. Key to the findings – as highlighted by the BBC’s extensive coverage of the report (see video below) – is that government funding for services relating to rural homelessness is 65% lower per person than for those experiencing homelessness in urban areas. 

Which means charities like Turning Tides are having to fill the funding gap. As Turning Tides’ Ruth Poyner explained to the BBC’s Clare Marshall: “Our fundraising team is being tasked to raise £650k to support our services, which is a massive ask. And we’re always running with a deficit.”

Please support our work by making a donation, and ensure that people experiencing homelessness receive support. 

You can watch the full BBC News report, including an interview with Franc who has lived experience of rural homelessness, below.