If you live or work in a major UK city, the news that homelessness is rising will come as no surprise. I have a friend who spends most of his time abroad and returns to London once every few months or so. He told me that each time he visits, he’s struck by the noticeable increase in the number of people sleeping rough.

In one of the wealthiest countries in the world, many of us have grown accustomed to averting our eyes as we pass figures hunched in doorways – perhaps chucking a small handful of loose change into a styrofoam cup before hurrying on our way. Though these little acts of charity do not offer any long-term solution, they’re enough to allay our guilt for a while. We’re good people. We care. We might not be able to fix things, but we’re doing what we can.

Number of homeless in Britain expected to double by 2041, Crisis warns Read more

It’s natural to feel helpless in the face of suffering on any significant scale – especially if you’re also contending with problems of your own. The truth is, though, homelessness in the UK is a national scandal. Rough sleeping is the most visible aspect of the problem, but a report released today by the charity Crisis reveals it’s only the tip of the iceberg.

There are many more people forced to flit between friends’ sofas, and sometimes sleeping outside on an occasional basis. Others are stuck in hostels and other unsuitable temporary accommodation. I’ve spoken to people who actually prefer to sleep on a park bench than in a hostel bed, at least when the weather is good, because they consider the risk of theft and violence greater in the latter environment.

Analysis conducted on behalf of Crisis by Heriot-Watt University predicts that, unless significant changes are made, the number of people forced into homelessness in Britain will double by 2041 – rising to 575,000. The majority affected will be “sofa surfers” but the number of people sleeping rough will more than quadruple, from 9,100 in 2016 up to 40,100. Since the Conservatives came to power in 2010, homelessness has already doubled. What makes this figure so disgusting is that it’s the entirely predictable consequence of deliberate policy choices.

When the Tories decided to cut local council budgets, it was inevitable that housing support services would suffer. When they entirely removed housing benefit from 18- to 21-year-olds, it was certain that young people would be forced on to the streets. When they opted to impose an arbitrary cap on the maximum amount a household can receive in welfare, it was housing benefit that was cut. Never mind that the money goes straight into landlords’ pockets and tenants are not responsible for sky-high rents. Never mind that families with young children were sure to be forced out of their homes as a result.

Another, more humane, method of reducing the housing benefit bill would have been replenishing social housing stock – but the Conservatives are unwilling to countenance such a move as they believe it would just “create Labour voters”.

Crisis suggests a series of measures to avert an escalation of the current homelessness catastrophe, all of which are sensible and achievable. A 60% increase in new housing. Adequately funding local councils, to allow them to offer necessary emergency support. Mental health services – which have faced significant cuts in recent years – are also essential to support many rough sleepers. In particular, there’s frequently a gap in provision for people with dual diagnosis of addiction and another mental health problem.

The issue isn’t that we don’t know how to fix things – it’s that the current government is choosing not to. We have a collective duty to pressure the Conservatives to take responsibility and address the crisis they are currently actively exacerbating. And at the next election, maybe we can choose a party that has a track record of viewing the wellbeing of its most disadvantaged citizens as a priority.

• Abi Wilkinson is a freelance journalist