Campaign launched to prevent ‘avalanche’ of homelessness Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, launches new campaign to prevent homelessness (David Parry/PA) Calls to prevent a surge in homelessness this autumn are being stepped up after research suggested evictions and repossessions continued throughout the lockdown. The Big Issue warned of a potential “four-pronged attack” on the public in coming months, with an end to the Universal Credit uplift and the furlough scheme, an increase in evictions and repossessions and a predicted increase in the cost of electricity and gas. A study by the magazine of official figures found that in the first quarter of 2021, there were 632 mortgage repossessions and rental evictions across the UK.