Brighton Teenager's Bold Campaign Aims to End Hidden Homelessness for Families
A determined teenager from Brighton has launched a pioneering campaign to confront the city's escalating hidden homelessness crisis, specifically targeting the plight of families with children trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation. 15-year-old Scarlett Chapman, a resident of Hove, established Mission:HOME with the urgent goal of securing permanent housing for the staggering 2,900 parents and children currently stuck in this precarious situation across Brighton and Hove.
A Lifelong Commitment to Charitable Action
Scarlett's dedication to supporting homeless individuals is not a recent development. Her philanthropic journey began at the remarkably young age of eight, when she started busking on the city's streets to raise vital funds for local homeless charities. Through her persistent efforts, she has successfully raised an impressive sum exceeding £10,000 to date. However, upon learning about the severe conditions endured by thousands of local families languishing in temporary housing for months or even years, she felt compelled to escalate her efforts.
"It breaks my heart to hear about children living in fear of having to move from place to place, never knowing when they’ll have to pack up again or change schools or leave friends behind," Scarlett explained. "Having a home gives children stability and a sense of belonging. No child should grow up like that." She recounted a particularly distressing encounter with a mother whose flat was so damp that she had to regularly vacuum mould from her daughter's bedroom walls.
The Stark Reality of Homelessness in Brighton and Hove
The scale of the challenge is formidable. Brighton and Hove consistently records one of the highest homelessness rates in the entire country. A recent report by the charity Shelter revealed that homelessness impacts a shocking 1 in 77 people within the city, equating to 3,580 individuals or 1.3% of the local population. Furthermore, the city ranks joint 19th highest in England for rough sleeping, with a rate of 30 people per 100,000 residents.
The Mission:HOME Strategy: Transforming Microsites into Homes
The core initiative of Mission:HOME involves a direct appeal to Brighton and Hove City Council. Scarlett is campaigning for the authority to transform its small, unused plots of land, known as microsites, into secure, permanent homes for local families in desperate need. The first proposed development is located in the Woodingdean area, where formal plans have been submitted to construct permanent housing for four families.
The council's planning portal is currently open for public consultation, offering residents a critical 28-day window to demonstrate their support by submitting positive comments endorsing the development. This portal will close on Tuesday, February 3. Scarlett is actively encouraging as many people as possible to visit the Mission:HOME website at missionhome.org.uk, where they can find clear guidance on how to submit a supportive comment on the planning portal.
"We have a real opportunity to show Brighton that the way families are living in temporary accommodation just isn’t right, and that we can do better," Scarlett stated with conviction.
Endorsement from Local Leaders and Charities
The campaign has garnered significant support from key figures within the community. Simon Gale, Chief Executive of Justlife, a Brighton-based charity supporting those in temporary accommodation, emphasised the severity of the crisis. "Across Brighton and Hove we’re seeing record numbers of people trapped in temporary accommodation. The reality is that the only way to bring those numbers down is to build more social housing, including on sites like in Woodingdean, which are currently lying empty," he said.
Gale added a stark warning: "This crisis won’t be solved by the private rented sector or by short-term fixes. It will only be solved by giving people the secure, permanent homes they need."
Labour Councillor for Woodingdean, Jacob Allen, also voiced his strong backing for the initiative. "Brighton and Hove is in a deeply worrying crisis. We should not tolerate allowing small, underused plots of land to sit idle," he asserted. "I urge residents to get behind this campaign and tell the council that this strategy for new developments should go ahead and be encouraged. Together, we can give these local families the security we all deserve."
Through Mission:HOME, Scarlett Chapman is not only raising awareness but also mobilising the community towards a tangible, compassionate solution for some of the city's most vulnerable residents.
