New data reveals record numbers of homeless households

Record numbers of homeless households and children in temporary accommodation have been recorded by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in their latest homelessness statistics.

On 31 December 2023, there were more than 112,600 homeless households living in temporary accommodation, an increase of 12.1 per cent from the previous year.

There were also 145,800 homeless children living in temporary accommodation in December 2023, the highest ever recorded and up 15 per cent from last year.

Between October and December 2023, almost 320,000 households were assessed as homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Additionally, a record 25,910 households were threatened with homelessness as a result of a Section 21 no fault eviction in 2023. 

Section 21 evictions are a major contributor to rising homelessness because they allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, and only two months’ notice.  

Responding to the statistics, Cllr Darren Rodwell, housing spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA), said: "Councils continue to work incredibly hard to prevent homelessness, as well as help those affected.

“To tackle rising homelessness, the building of affordable homes must be prioritised. 

"That is why the LGA has set out a six-point plan to spark a council house building renaissance and address the national shortage of affordable housing.”

However, chief executive of Shelter Polly Neate said that the government "cannot stand idly by while a generation of children have their lives blighted by homelessness."

She added: “Those who can’t afford private rents are being thrown into homelessness and then left for months and even years in damaging temporary accommodation because there is nowhere else.

“With a General Election approaching, it’s time for all politicians to show voters they are serious about ending the housing emergency. 

To do this, she said, every party needs to commit to building 90,000 social homes a year for ten years, and an overhaul of the Renters (Reform) Bill so that "it delivers genuine safety and security for private renters.”