Figures show sharp increase in homeless families since 2010
Homelessness cases in England have rocketed by 48% and the number of families living in temporary accommodation is up 61%, according to the latest government figures.
Councils accepted 59,090 households as homeless and in 'priority' need of housing in 2016/17 - compared to 40,020 in 2009/10, a new report by the Department of Communities and Local Government reveals.
It says 1,290 families were spending more than six weeks living in bed and breakfast accommodation at the end of March.
The total number of households in temporary accommodation was 77,240, compared to 48,010 in 2010.
Homelessness and housing charity Shelter said the fire tragedy at Grenfell Tower had put the issue of homelessness into the spotlight.
Its director of communications Anne Baxendale said: ‘While Shelter is calling for those affected to be placed in good quality temporary accommodation nearby, and we hope officials make good on their promise to do so, we know many local authorities simply don't have enough affordable accommodation for those on low incomes.
‘It's a similar story across all London boroughs and the country more widely, so it's no surprise that today's homelessness stats reveal the problem is getting worse nationally, with more households becoming homeless every year.’
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