Jools Ramsey-Palmer, the chief executive of Ipswich Housing Action Group (iHag), said the service was braced for a “busy year” as she revealed 14 people were found on the streets on one day last week.
Her comments come as a report by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government revealed that almost four homes per 1,000 in Ipswich were assessed as threatened with homelessness.
In contrast, the rate is more than double that in Norwich – and only 1.55 homes are at risk on average in the East of England and throughout the UK.
Ms Ramsey Palmer said: “We are seeing an increase in the number of people sleeping rough on the streets throughout the town – 14 people were found on Thursday – and are supporting an average of 28 people a day through our centre.
“We are braced for a busy year.”
READ MORE: Reduction in HMOs affects relieving homelessness in Ipswich
Ms Ramsey-Palmer outlined several reasons as to why Ipswich is facing a greater threat of homelessness than the rest of the country.
She said: “Private rent costs in Ipswich are relatively high – in 2022 – 79% of the rental property stock in Ipswich was owned by private landlords, and the average monthly rent for a two-bedroom property that year was £700.
“The latest Office for National Statistics figures from October 2024 show that rental prices in Ipswich have increased 8.9% over the last 12 months.
“The average two-bedroom property costs £829 per month, and flats on average cost £792 per month.
“Current levels of universal credit do not support people to be able to afford these rental costs.”
READ MORE: Ipswich council leader Neil MacDonald on homelessness
As of April 2025, Suffolk County Council cut the supported accommodation available for people who have been homeless by 66%, and whilst the local district and borough councils have each commissioned beds of their own, the numbers do not make up the short fall.
The median salary in Ipswich at £39,700 is under the average national salary of £42,200, resulting in a higher percentage of income being spent on household costs.
