The Struggles of Housing Insecurity: A Young Woman’s Journey
Kerrie Portman, a 26-year-old politics student at the University of Cambridge, faces a daunting challenge: the constant upheaval of having to find a new home. Each time she is told to pack her belongings, she experiences debilitating seizures, which are triggered by the stress of her precarious living situation. For years, Kerrie has navigated the complexities of homelessness, often residing in temporary accommodations that have taken a toll on her mental and physical health.
In an interview with The i Paper, Kerrie shared her profound struggles. “Housing instability has adversely affected both my mental and physical health,” she explained. “Being placed back into temporary accommodation has exacerbated my depression and trauma. It’s incredibly alienating to be homeless, resulting in lost friendships and limited social opportunities.”
Kerrie’s plight is not unique. New research from the advocacy group Health Equals sheds light on the significant impact that frequent relocations have on the health of young individuals. The analysis reveals that adolescents who have moved three or more times during their childhood are twice as likely to describe their health as “poor” compared to those who have remained in one place.
Factors such as financial instability and reliance on rented housing contribute to the necessity for families to move frequently. According to findings from the Health Foundation, children who have experienced poverty are twice as likely to have changed residences multiple times by age 17 compared to their peers who have never faced economic hardship. Additionally, families living in the rented sector are four times more likely to relocate frequently than those who own their homes.
The Millennium Cohort Study, which tracks the lives of approximately 19,000 children born in the UK between 2000 and 2002, highlights these issues. In England alone, an alarming nine million homes do not meet basic needs, with issues of affordability, overcrowding, and substandard conditions prevalent. Nearly one million of these homes face multiple housing challenges, which can jeopardize the well-being of families.
Kerrie, who grew up in the foster care system and lacks familial support, recently transitioned into housing association accommodation after enduring homelessness and temporary housing for the fourth time. In 2020, she faced two distressing incidents in privately rented accommodations that further deteriorated her health. Shortly after moving into one such place, she discovered extensive black mold, which the landlord neglected to address. This exposure led to a severe health reaction, culminating in a hospital visit and a diagnosis of asthma.
Her experience with homelessness has included periods of rough sleeping and squatting. “The uncertainty of my living situation has caused significant stress and exacerbated my chronic fatigue syndrome,” Kerrie recounted. “Living without a stable home has left me exhausted, especially when I have to spend all day outside.”
Living in south Cambridgeshire, Kerrie suffers from non-epileptic seizures triggered by stress, often resulting in injuries from falls. She recently had to be hospitalized due to one such incident. “When I moved out of my last temporary accommodation, I had just come from the hospital after sustaining a concussion and a torn neck muscle,” she said. “Only days later, the council requested that I move again. They initially wanted me to relocate that very day, but after I explained my injuries, they extended the deadline to five days. Nonetheless, it was still a tremendous strain on my health to pack and unpack within such a short timeframe.”
Kerrie emphasized that the continuous cycle of homelessness and short-term relocations severely impacts her health, making her more susceptible to seizures and subsequent injuries. The frequent moves also complicate her access to healthcare services, particularly for mental health support. “It’s been especially challenging to obtain secondary services like mental health care, which often have lengthy waiting lists,” she explained. “By the time you reach the top of the list, you might have moved somewhere else or no longer be eligible for those services.”
Paul McDonald, chief campaigns officer for Health Equals, stated, “Having a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home is vital for our health and well-being. This new research illuminates the alarming effects housing insecurity has on young people and their health, especially for those experiencing poverty or living in rented accommodations.” He added, “Kerrie’s heartbreaking story exemplifies how inadequate housing can lead to deteriorating physical and mental health.”
Tom Darling, director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, echoed these sentiments, stating, “Kerrie’s experience underscores the deep harm inflicted on young individuals by England’s fractured housing system. It is profoundly unjust that so many young people lack secure, decent homes and are forced to navigate a transient lifestyle without the ability to establish roots.”
A government spokesperson acknowledged the severity of the housing crisis, saying, “The acute and entrenched housing crisis we have inherited has placed people’s health at risk. This government recognizes the importance of stable homes, especially for children and young people, which is why we are implementing measures to help renters maintain longer tenancies, including the prohibition of Section 21 no-fault evictions.”
They continued, “Furthermore, we have allocated over £1 billion for homelessness services, committed to building 1.5 million homes, and are addressing the stark health inequalities in the UK to ensure all patients receive the care they deserve, as part of our Plan for Change.”
If you or someone you know needs assistance, please reach out to Shelter at 0808 800 4444 or contact the Samaritans at 116 123.
