Homelessness hits all-time high

More people are turning to their local councils for help as homelessness levels hit a record high, new figures have shown.

Data analysed by the Local Government Association (LGA) reveals the number of households in England living in temporary accommodation has increased by 89% over the past ten years.

At the end of March this year, 104,000 households were living in temporary accommodation.

This is the highest figure since records began in 1998.

Not enough social housing

A shortage of social housing means people are being placed in private temporary accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs. This has cost councils at least £1.74bn in 2022/23.

Call for action

The LGA is calling on the government to:

• increase the rates used to calculate housing benefit so that they cover the bottom 30% of local rents
• reform Right to Buy so councils keep all the money generated and are allowed to use more of it to build replacement homes
• allow council landlords to increase rents every year for at least ten years
• provide more money for councils to build more social homes

Healthier and happier communities

Darren Rodwell from the Local Government Association said:

“Councils need to be given the powers and resources to build enough social homes for their residents so they can create a more prosperous place to live, with healthier and happier communities.”