Rough sleeping soars by 27% while number of homeless children in temporary accommodation hits another record high
Posted 29 Feb 2024
Rough sleeping soars by 27% while number of homeless children in temporary accommodation hits another record high
Today the government has released two separate sets of statistics that show it’s failing to get a grip on the housing emergency.
The latest snapshot figures on the number of people sleeping rough in England in 2023 reveal:
3,898 people were recorded sleeping rough on a given night, a 27% increase in one year.
The number of people sleeping rough in England has more than doubled since 2010 when the data started being collected - up 120%.
These annual figures are likely to be an underestimate, as people who sleep in less visible locations can be missed.
In 2019 the government made a manifesto commitment to end rough sleeping by 2024, but these figures show it’s failing on this promise and the situation is going from bad to worse.”
New statutory homelessness figures have also been released today, showing homelessness at another high in England between July and September 2023:
109,000 households are homeless in temporary accommodation – another record high figure and up 10% in a year.
There are 142,490 children who are homeless – another record and up 16,960 (14%) in a year.
In total 78,460 households in England faced homelessness between July and September 2023.
With a general election on the horizon, Shelter is calling for all political parties to commit to ending the housing emergency by building 90,000 social homes a year with rents tied to local incomes.
A report, published by Shelter and the National Housing Federation (NHF) this week has found that building 90,000 social homes would not only pay for itself in terms of economic and social benefits within three years, but it would add over £50 billion to the economy in the long term.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said:“Today’s figures are further proof that the government cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the housing emergency. Far from ending rough sleeping, through its own ineffectiveness the government has allowed it to more than double on their watch, while the number of children homeless in temporary accommodation hits yet another shameful high.
“We haven’t built enough social homes in decades, and with rents at a record high, thousands of people are being forced to spend their nights freezing on street corners. Meanwhile families are being pushed into grim hostels and B&Bs miles away from their support networks and where children have to share beds.
“Ignoring a crisis of this magnitude cannot continue. Everyone at risk of street homelessness should be provided with suitable emergency accommodation. But the only lasting solution is for the government and all political parties to commit to build genuinely affordable and good quality social homes – we need 90,000 a year.”
Anyone who is facing homelessness can get free and expert advice from Shelter by visiting www.shelter.org.uk/get_help.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Notes to the editor:
Rough sleeping snapshot
The total number of people estimated to be sleeping rough on a given night in 2023 (3,898), 2022 (3,069) and 2010 (1,768) is taken from Rough Sleeping Snapshot in England: autumn 2022 Table 1: Total number of people sleeping rough, by local authority and region England, autumn 2010-2023. Details about how the data was collected is available here: Rough sleeping snapshot in England: autumn 2023 - technical report - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Statutory homelessness in England
78,460 households approached their local council and were found to be homeless or threatened with homelessness (owed a prevention or relief duty) between July and September 2023. This is 3% higher than April to June 2023 (2,400 households). This is available at: DLUHC, Live tables on homelessness, Statutory Homelessness Live Tables, Table A1.
109,000 households were recorded to be living in temporary accommodation in England at the end of September 2023. The number of households in temporary accommodation has increased by 10% (10,160 households) since the end of September 2022 and is the highest number since records began (March 1998). This is available at: DLUHC, Live tables on homelessness, Statutory Homelessness Live Tables, Table TA1.
142,490 children were recorded to be living in temporary accommodation in England at the end of September 2023. The number of children in temporary accommodation has increased by 14% (16,960 children) since September 2022 and is the highest number since records began (June 2004). This is available at: DLUHC, Live tables on homelessness, Statutory Homelessness Live Tables, Table TA1.
Shelter and the National Housing Federation (NHF) commissioned the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) to carry out an assessment of how building social housing benefits the economy, the government, the people who will live in social homes and society at large. The analysis uses official government statistics, industry reports and internal data shared by Shelter and NHF: Research: The economic impact of building social housing - Shelter England
About Shelter: Shelter exists to defend the right to a safe home and fight the devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society. Shelter believes that home is everything. Learn more at www.shelter.org.uk.