More than 77,500 single parents are living with the threat of homelessness hanging over them.
Tens of thousands of lone mums and dads face losing their homes in the next couple of months, shock research shows.
Runaway rents, rising energy and food prices and a shortage of accommodation are driving the bleak crisis – which experts fear will get worse in 2023.
Polly Neate, boss of housing charity Shelter, which compiled the figures, said: “Trying to juggle work and childcare is difficult for any parent, but especially if you are doing a lot of it on your own.”
Single dad and private tutor Dave Lockyer, 51, could soon be kicked out of the one-bed house he shares with son Aaron, 16, in Woking, Surrey.
The father-of-four, served a Section 21 no-fault eviction – which let private landlords repossess properties without tenants doing anything wrong – said: “I’m absolutely terrified to be forced to live on the streets. It’s been impossible to find somewhere new.”
A basic studio flat in Dave’s area goes for £1,400 a month, while his budget with housing benefit is £1,200.
He added: “The last time I received a section 21, I ended up sofa surfing for about three months. It’s going to be the same thing again this time. I try to shield my son from it. On the surface you wouldn’t think it’s affecting him, but I know it is. I’m sick with worry.”
Private rental numbers have halved in three years as owners sell up, says landlords organisation Propertymark.
Almost a million low-income households fear being evicted soon. One in 12 renters in England, around 941,000, are at risk, Crisis found.
The homeless charity’s boss Matt Downie said: “We need more affordable housing and for housing benefit to cover the actual cost of rents.”
Labour has called for an emergency law banning no-fault evictions.
Paula Barker, Shadow Minister for Homelessness and Rough Sleeping, said: “The Government simply must do more to help those single parent renting households struggling this winter.”
