Shelter response to MHCLGS’s homelessness stats
Shelter response to MHCLGS’s homelessness stats;
· In the last 5 years, the number of homeless families living in temporary accommodation has increased by 48%.
· Losing a private tenancy remains the single biggest cause of homelessness. 16,320 households became homeless after being evicted from a privately rented home in the last year, accounting for 28% of all homeless households in priority need.
· In the last 12 months, nearly 58,000 families were accepted as homeless by their local council. This equates to an increase of 8% over the last 5 years.
Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter, said: “Today’s figures lay bare the true extent of our homelessness crisis which is thrusting thousands of families into insecure temporary accommodation. This is fuelled by a crippling combination of increasing rents, brutal welfare changes and an underlying lack of affordable homes.
“It’s no surprise that eviction from a privately rented home is the biggest cause of homelessness. Families up and down the country are battling to pay their rent or find somewhere they can afford. Rents eat up such a huge chunk of income that many families then struggle to provide essentials like putting food on the table and paying their utility bills.
“To prevent thousands more families from sliding into homelessness, the government must get on with the job of building many more homes that are genuinely affordable for families to rent and making lettings more stable and secure.”
Source of information Shelter.