Number Of Homeless In Temporary Accommodation Up 61%

“Worrying” homelessness statistics show that the number of households accepted by local authorities as statutory homeless is on the rise. The data reveals that between 1 January and 31 March 2017 local authorities accepted 14,600 households as being statutorily homeless, up 1% on the previous quarter and down 1% on the same quarter last year. Households in temporary accommodation on 31 March 2017 was 77,240, up 8% on a year earlier, and up 61% on the low of 48,010 on 31 December 2010. There were 6,590 households living in bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation, an increase of 11% from 5,960 as at 31 March 2016. Of these 3,010 (46%) had dependent or expected children. Read more on Welfare Weekly.

Social Rented Housing: Waiting Lists – Parliamentary Written Answer

Emily Thornberry:   To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, how many single people under the age of 35 with no dependent children are registered on waiting lists for social housing.

Brandon Lewis: In 2013-14, there were around 91,000 single people under the age of 35 with no dependent children on at least one social housing waiting list in England. This is down from 124,000 in 2004-5 and 110,000 in 2010-11. (Source: English Housing Survey, Department for Communities and Local Government).

20% of UK Households Home to Children Sharing Bedrooms

Children are sharing bedrooms in 20% of UK households, new research has revealed. According to Post Office Mortgage’s 'Step-up' report, in 9% of homes in which children are bedroom-sharing a lack of space is the cause. The report also reveals that the average size of a UK home has decreased dramatically over the last 90 years, from 1,647 sq ft to 925 sq ft. Over half (58%) of the parents polled wish their children had bigger rooms in which to study and play, and 63% would like to move in to a bigger house. Read more on 24dash.

Urgent Action Needed To Keep More People in Their Homes

Homeless Link responds to Government statistics showing a nine per cent increase in the number of homeless households.  According to Homeless Link analysis,

*12,860 individuals and families were accepted by councils as homeless from April - June 2012, an 8.8 per cent increase on the same period in 2011. 

*The number of people finding themselves without a roof because they have had to leave privately rented accommodation is also the highest for 14 years.   

*21% of people accepted as homeless, became homeless because of an end to their short hold tenancy; this is the highest proportion recorded since 1998

*26,800 applications for help were made, 52% of which were turned down

*The majority of those accepted as homeless were ‘households with dependent children’ (64% of all cases).

Read more on the Homeless Link website.