Almost 100,000 homeless households were stuck in temporary accommodation during the first national lockdown

The government has released new figures on homelessness in England today, which show:

• At the end of June 2020, 98,300 homeless households were living in temporary accommodation, an unprecedented rise of 7% in just three months from 92,190 households at the end of March, and a rise of 14% in a year.

• Even with the eviction ban in place, many people were tipped into homelessness. Between April and June 2020, 63,570 households approached their local council and were found to be homeless or at risk of homelessness.

• 17% of all homeless households supported by their council with temporary accommodation were placed into emergency B&Bs and hostels (17,180).

• The number of households in emergency accommodation has increased by 14% in just three months – also an unprecedent rise. Some of which is likely due to the huge effort made by charities, councils and the government to get people off the streets during the first phase of the pandemic.

• The three most common triggers of homelessness during the initial lockdown period were households no longer being able to stay with families and friends (33%), the loss of a private tenancy (11%) and domestic abuse (11%).

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter said: “No one should have to battle homelessness during a global pandemic. But this has been the grim reality for increasing numbers of people this year. And as local lockdowns continue across the country, many people will be facing this nightmare afresh.

“With the economic effects of the pandemic starting to bite and unemployment rising, tragically many more people could find themselves homeless in the months ahead. The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has magnified our housing emergency, and exposed the deep cracks left by the chronic shortage of social homes. A safe, stable home means everything right now, but we just don’t have enough of them and people are suffering terrible consequences as a result.

“If we don’t want the legacy of this pandemic to be one of lasting homelessness, then we need a Covid rescue plan for housing and we need it now. By investing £12 billion over the next two years, the government could build an extra 144,000 lower-cost homes, including 50,000 critically important social homes. These permanent homes could provide a way out of the misery of homelessness and temporary accommodation for thousands.”

ENDS