Record 145,800 children in temporary accommodation – up 15% in a year

New government statutory homelessness figures released today show 145,800 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation with their families – the highest on record and up 19,460 (15%) in a year. 

The figures for England also show:  

• 112,660 households were homeless and living in temporary accommodation at the end of 2023 – another record high figure and up 12% in a year.   

• 317,430 households were accepted as either homeless or at imminent risk of it by their council, last year – the highest number since records began, and up 9% on the previous year. 

• The loss of a private tenancy remains the leading cause of homelessness in England.  

• A record 25,910 households were threatened with homelessness as a result of a Section 21 no fault eviction in 2023. Section 21 evictions are a major contributor to rising homelessness because they allow landlords to evict tenants without giving a reason, and only two months’ notice.   

With a General Election on the horizon, Shelter is urging all political parties to commit to building 90,000 genuinely affordable social homes a year with rents tied to local incomes as the lasting and ultimate solution to homelessness. In addition, it’s calling for the current Renters (Reform) Bill to be fixed so that it delivers meaningful safety and security for private renters. The government first promised to scrap no fault evictions in its 2019 manifesto, however since its introduction to Parliament, the Renters (Reform) Bill has been watered down significantly.  

Last week, MPs voted to accept amendments that could indefinitely delay banning Section 21s and reintroduce some fixed term tenancies, prompting Shelter and other renting organisations to say they could no longer support the Bill and call for serious changes to the draft legislation.   

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The government cannot stand idly by while a generation of children have their lives blighted by homelessness.  

“Decades of failure to build enough genuinely affordable social homes has left families struggling to cobble together extortionate sums every month to keep a roof over their heads. Those who can’t afford private rents are being thrown into homelessness and then left for months and even years in damaging temporary accommodation because there is nowhere else. 

“With a General Election approaching, it’s time for all politicians to show voters they are serious about ending the housing emergency. To dramatically reduce homelessness, we need every party to commit to building 90,000 social homes a year for ten years, and an overhaul of the Renters (Reform) Bill so that it delivers genuine safety and security for private renters.” 

Anyone who is facing homelessness can get free and expert advice from Shelter by visiting www.shelter.org.uk/get_help.   

ENDS