More than 300,000 people likely to be homeless at Christmas

Latest government statistics show homelessness at highest levels since records began

An “out of control” housing emergency will mean levels of homelessness in England this Christmas are likely to be 14 per cent higher than last year, according to Shelter.

The charity estimated that on any given night in 2023, there were 309,550 people in some form of homelessness – the majority in temporary accommodation.

Last year there were around 38,000 fewer people experiencing homelessness, according to Shelter’s 2022 annual report.

The charity described its research as a snapshot of the number of people recorded as homeless on any given night in 2023 – although most of the figures cover the first six months of the year.

Shelter estimates the number of homeless people in England using data from official government statistics and Homeless Link – the national membership charity for organisations working directly with the homeless – on people in hostels or supported accommodation.

The charity said that its analysis is the “most comprehensive overview of recorded homelessness in England”, but warned the true figure could be higher due to “hidden homelessness” such as sofa-surfing.

Chief executive Polly Neate said: “Homelessness is on nobody’s Christmas list, but 309,000 people will spend this time of year in a tiny hostel room or freezing in a doorway.

“The housing emergency is out of control. Chronic underinvestment in social homes has left people unable to afford skyrocketing private rents and plunged record numbers into homelessness.

“It is appalling that the government has allowed thousands of families to be packed into damp and dirty B&Bs and hostel rooms, which are traumatising children and making people desperately ill.

“Until the government takes this emergency seriously, our frontline services will do everything they can to help people keep or find a safe home this winter.

“It is only with the public’s support that we can continue to provide vital advice and support and fight for the solutions people want and need to end homelessness.”

The latest government figures, published in November, showed that the numbers of households and children in temporary accommodation in England have hit new record highs, with 105,750 households in temporary accommodation at the end of June.

This figure was a new high since records began 25 years ago and an increase of 10.5 per cent compared with the end of June 2022.

The total number of children in temporary accommodation – a measure which was first recorded in 2004 – was 138,930 as of the end of June this year.

Shelter said its frontline services are “dealing with the grim reality of rising homelessness every day from supporting families crammed into a one-room B&B with mouldy walls and bed bugs, to providing emergency assistance to people faced with a night on the streets”.

A spokesman for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. That’s why we are spending £2bn to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including making £1bn available so councils can give financial support for people to find a new home and move out of temporary accommodation.

“Temporary accommodation is an important way of making sure no family is without a roof over their head, but councils must ensure it is temporary and suitable for families, who have a right to appeal if it doesn’t meet their household’s needs.

“Through our rough sleeping strategy, we will continue to work to end rough sleeping completely.”