William Eichler 11 January 2023

Nearly 250,000 people in temporary accommodation

Nearly 250,000 people in temporary accommodation image
Image: Roman Bodnarchuk/Shutterstock.com.

Nearly 250,000 people are living in temporary accommodation due to a ‘chronic shortage’ of social homes and an ‘over-reliance’ on expensive private renting, according to a homelessness charity.

An analysis of official homelessness figures and responses to a freedom of information request by the charity Shelter found that at least 271,000 people are recorded as homeless in England, including 123,000 children.

Shelter’s research found that 2,400 people are sleeping rough on any given night, 15,000 people are in hostels or supported accommodation and nearly 250,000 are living in temporary accommodation – most of whom are families.

The number of people living in temporary accommodation has risen by an alarming 74% in the last 10 years – something the charity argues is driven by the ‘chronic shortage’ of social homes, and an ‘over-reliance’ on grossly expensive and unstable private renting.

The charity also learnt that more than two-thirds of families (68%) living in temporary accommodation have been there for over a year.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: ‘With private rents and living costs continuing to soar, thousands of people are not just facing a winter of worry, they are at risk of losing the roof over their head. At Shelter, we are bracing ourselves for a sharp rise in homelessness in 2023.’

Shelter’s research also revealed that one in 58 Londoners is homeless. Responding to the research, Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ executive member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: ‘These devastating figures reveal that London remains the epicentre of the homelessness crisis.

‘Everyone deserves a permanent home, but the chronic shortage of affordable housing in the capital means too many Londoners find themselves homeless and reliant on temporary accommodation arranged by their local council. The numbers are so high they are equivalent to the entire population of a London borough.

‘We’re concerned that cost-of-living pressures mean this desperate situation will get even worse before it gets better. Councils across the capital are seeing more and more residents turning to us for help.

‘We urgently need renewed action on tackling homelessness, especially through making better use of the welfare system to help low-income households with their housing costs and through investing in the new affordable homes our communities are crying out for.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of Operations

Newquay Town Council
£55,801 - £59,922
This is an exciting opportunity to join Newquay Town Council as its first Director of Operations. Newquay, Cornwall
Recuriter: Newquay Town Council

Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 per annum, full time equivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Director of Resources / Deputy Chief Executive

Newquay Town Council
£61,197 – £65,925
This is an exciting opportunity to join Newquay Town Council as its new Director of Resources. Newquay, Cornwall
Recuriter: Newquay Town Council

Storytelling and Case Studies Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £43,545 FTE based on Skill
Job Title Storytelling and Cas... Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Head of Housing Development

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
UP to £116,847
Job Title- Head of Housing Development Salary – UP to £116,847 Permanent – Fulltime (36hours) Location- Wandsworth Town Hall, London Are you experienced in Local Government Housing Association/Development? If yes, you are invited to consider th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Linkedin Banner