Local authorities are moving homeless families out of their neighbourhoods at almost three times the rate than has been officially recognised, freedom of information (FOI) requests have revealed.
Nearly 34,500 households were placed out of area last year, according to FOI responses from 80% of English councils.
Compiled by Nottingham University and shared with the Guardian, the findings were based on FOI responses from 80% of English councils and point to a total that is 172% above what was officially recorded the previous year.
The most recent official homelessness statistics suggested 12,640 homeless households were sent by councils to other areas in 2021-22, and 14,620 the year before.