HOMELESSNESS
Tens of thousands of children among the highest number of homeless people on record
Early 2023 was the worst period for homelessness in England since records began, according to the latest government figures.
Almost 80,000 households in England contacted their local council between January and March 2023 because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness, the highest number since these records began in 2018.
A further 105,000 households were living in temporary accommodation in the period, also the highest on record since 1998, including more than 130,000 children.
“The time for empty words on building social homes and overdue promises on ending no fault evictions has long passed,” said Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, which estimated nearly 25,000 people had been made homeless in the last year because landlords had evicted them via so-called Section 21 “no-fault” evictions.
“Once again, we see the crippling cost that years of no investment in housing benefit, and a shameful lack of social house building, is having by trapping families in temporary accommodation,” added Matt Downie, chief executive of Crisis.
Official government figures are based on the number of people applying to councils for help, but homelessness is notoriously difficult to quantify, meaning many more people could be living without a home across the country.
A government spokesperson said: “We are determined to prevent homelessness before it occurs. Temporary accommodation ensures no family is without
