William Eichler 18 December 2018

End ‘unnecessary’ homelessness catch-22, watchdog says

A watchdog has called for an end to the ‘unnecessary catch-22’ where homeless people are unable to access public services because they have no fixed postal address.

Eight out of 10 Citizens Advice advisors said homeless people always or frequently experienced difficulty accessing benefits because they don’t have a fixed address.

Opening a bank account was also a challenge, according to seven in 10 advisers. 

The majority (54%) of MPs surveyed by Citizens Advice also said people in their constituency have struggled to access essential services because they don’t have a fixed address.

Citizens Advice, which is the statutory consumer watchdog for postal services, urged Royal Mail and Post Office to give the estimated 320,000 homeless people in Britain access to postal services.

It recommended creating a free PO box-type system for homeless people. This would give them an address to put on applications and allow them to pick up their post from one of Royal Mail’s delivery offices.

The watchdog also recommended an adjusted form of Poste Restante — a system that allows you to have your post sent to and collected from one of the country’s 11,500 post office branches — for homeless people.

Currently, the Post Office requires proof of address to sign up, but Citizens Advice is calling for the ID requirements to be relaxed for homeless people.

‘With Christmas almost upon us, many people will be eagerly awaiting post and presents from loved ones,’ said Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice.

‘However, if you’re homeless receiving your post can mean much more - it can be the difference between sleeping rough or receiving long-awaited accommodation.

‘Our recommendations provide a simple solution to this unnecessary and damaging cycle, and homeless people, their support staff, and four in five MPs agree addressing it is important.

‘We’d like to see Royal Mail and Post Office trial our recommendations and work with them to end this catch-22 and help homeless people get back on their feet.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Public Health

Royal Borough of Greenwich
Up to £131,210
The Public Health department is at the heart of the council’s business. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Head of Regeneration and Growth

Plymouth City Council
£68,387 - £74,411 (MFS and relocation available, pay award pending)
This is a unique opportunity to lead our award-winning development team and directly deliver hundreds of millions of pounds of projects. Plymouth, Devon
Recuriter: Plymouth City Council

Director of Adult Social Care

Wiltshire Council
£119,390 - £127,137
Join us as the Director of Adult Social Care and make a real difference to people’s lives. Wiltshire
Recuriter: Wiltshire Council

Assistant Director Planning, Performance & Engagement

East Sussex County Council
up to £97,700
With strong local communities, unspoilt countryside and vibrant coastal towns, East Sussex offers an exceptional quality of life to many. East Sussex
Recuriter: East Sussex County Council

Director of Finance & Commerce

Lancashire County Council
Up to £114,339
You will play a critical role in driving the organisation through complex change and innovation. Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner