91 families made homeless every day in England

Today, the government released new figures on homelessness in England for the period April to June 2021. These figures include data for the first month after the ban in evictions was lifted at the end of May. They show:

• 91 families became homeless each day as lockdown restrictions lifted.
  Since the start of the pandemic a total of 183,290 households have been tipped into homelessness.

• Between April and June, 20,850 families approached their local council and were found to be homeless or at risk of homelessness – despite the eviction ban being in place for most of the period.

• 16,210 homeless households were placed into emergency B&Bs and hostels, where conditions are notoriously overcrowded and poor, with families sharing facilities like bathrooms.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Since the pandemic erupted, more than 180,000 households have been thrown into homelessness and a desperately uncertain future.

“With 91 families becoming homeless every single day, the Chancellor missed a vital opportunity to deal with the biggest bill people face – their rent. The government’s failure to invest in truly affordable social homes means far too many children will have to call a grimy hostel room “home” for the foreseeable.

“While the government’s benefits support for people in work will provide a vital lifeline for some, it won’t help everyone in need. The months ahead are going to be very hard with soaring food and energy prices on top of extortionate and rising rents. If struggling families are to stand a chance at recovery, the government has to build decent social homes - it is the only solution to homelessness that will last.”

Anyone who is facing homelessness can get free and expert advice from Shelter by visiting www.shelter.org.uk/get_help or by calling our emergency helpline on 0808 800 4444.

ENDS