Shelter analysis of government released quarterly homelesness figures
Shelter analysis of government released quarterly homelessness figures headlined ‘Highest number of older people homeless in a decade’.
New government figures on homelessness show:
· In the last year, 2,520 people aged 60 and over were accepted as homeless – a staggering rise of 40% in the last five years, and the highest number for over a decade.
· There are 38,390 single parent families who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation – a rise of 54% in the last five years.
· Single parent families account for 63% of all homeless families living in temporary accommodation, despite making up just 23% of all families in England – showing they are disproportionately affected by homelessness.
Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter, said: “It’s clear that our country is in the firm grip of a housing crisis as these figures starkly show, with older people and single parents both bearing the brunt.
“Something as simple as a family breakdown can push older people from a shared family home into private renting, yet huge rents and unforgiving welfare cuts mean they lose their homes.
“If we want to protect more people from the ravages of homelessness, the government must come up with a bold new plan for social housing and in the short term, ensure housing benefit covers the actual cost of rents.”
Source of information from Shelter.
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