Homelessness is a huge problem in the UK but isn’t as black and white as we think.

According to the Jopseh Rowntree foundation, 162 of England’s 326 local authorities revealed almost two-thirds (64%) are struggling to find social tenancies for homeless people, while half find it ‘very difficult’ to assist applicants into privately rented accommodation.85% are having difficulties helping single people aged 25–34 into accommodation, and 94% said they expect greater difficulties in finding accommodation for homeless 25– 34-year-olds in the next 2–3 years.

Nabeela Zaman, a current Chinese Studies undergrad at the University of Oxford and also the Communications Chair for Oxford Islamic Society wanted to document the problem of homelessness in one of the most unexpected of cities, Oxford. She illustrates the problem, through this incredibly raw documentary on the deeper nuances and realities of being homeless that headlines and tweets often overlook. In a place, that is outwardly known for its prestigious University, this seems to be overshadowing an increasingly widespread problem that affects even those who are equipped with BA and Masters degree qualifications.

 “It’s not as easy as giving homes to everyone” – Nabeela

One man she interviewed illustrated how homelessness happened as a result of not being able to keep up with the abnormally high amount of paperwork distributed by the job centre, and council, and lapsed due to being overwhelmed living with anxiety and depression, as a result, he stopped getting rent paid, and he lost his flat.

“I have a BA in philosophy, religion, and ethics, I did a Postgraduate Masters degree… through all of that I was getting student loans covered all my rent in London,  but after university, the student loan stopped, and I fell back into homelessness…People find it difficult to imagine they say, “why don’t you just get a job? But  there is an interim period after University it’s not easy to get a job, usually, people have a house to go back to and parents to support them, I didn’t,  I ended up back on the streets.”

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