The number of households in temporary accommodation in England is at its highest since records began as charities call on “out of touch” government to ban no-fault evictions and accelerate social housebuilding.
Government figures released on Tuesday show 104,510 households were in temporary accommodation by the end of March this year, the highest figure since records began in 1998. The rise has been sharp, with 9,520 more households being placed in temporary accommodation since last year, a 10% jump.
About 131,370 children are also in temporary accommodation, the highest figure on record.
On Monday, Michael Gove, the levelling up secretary, said the government would address the housing crisis by allowing shops, takeaways and betting shops to be turned into living spaces and changing planning laws to allow more home extensions.
Loss of a private tenancy is the leading cause of homelessness, according to the housing charity Shelter. Instability in the private rental market, exacerbated in the short term by rising interest rates and mortgage payment increases, has led to steep rent rises and landlords deciding to sell their properties. The number of households being issued with no-fault evictions has also risen in the past year, with a 21% increase in those at risk of homelessness due to a no-fault eviction.
The government has also frozen the local housing allowance (LHA) – the amount to which people claiming housing benefit who rent privately are entitled – at 2020 levels. LHA rates vary depending on location and the number of bedrooms in a property. If a claimant’s rent is more than the LHA, they are responsible for the remaining amount.
Hotels and B&Bs have seen the biggest jump in usage. About 3,930 families were in hotels or B&Bs by the end of March, up from 2,930 at the end of last year, a 35% increase in the space of three months.
The number of families living in hotels past the six-week legal limit has reached another all-time high, jumping from 670 to 1,840 in a year, a 175% increase. Those living in hotels are often in cramped conditions and have no access to basic cooking or washing facilities.
Housing charities have called on the government to prioritise a ban on no-fault evictions and to accelerate social housebuilding.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “With record numbers of people becoming homeless, the time for empty words on building social homes and overdue promises on ending no fault evictions has long passed.
“When MPs return from their summer break in September, the renters reform bill needs to come back with them, and it must be made law at the earliest opportunity.”
Matt Downie, chief executive at Crisis, said: “Once again, we see the crippling cost that years of no investment in housing benefit, and a shameful lack of social house building, is having by trapping families in temporary accommodation.
“This is unacceptable. The Westminster government may have declared victory yesterday on a pledge to build one million homes in this parliament, but these figures highlight how out of touch they are.”
A Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities spokesperson said: “Councils must ensure temporary accommodation is suitable for families, who have a right to appeal if they think it does not meet their household’s needs. That’s why we have given £2bn over three years to help local authorities tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, targeted to areas where it is needed most. In London, this includes over £350m funding through the homelessness prevention grant.”
