The UK’s hidden homeless population has soared by almost two thirds since 2010.
Government figures show that the number of English households in temporary accommodation has increased by nearly two thirds since the start of the decade.
On December 31 last year 78,930 households were in temporary accommodation, up 64% from a low of 48,010 on the same date in 2010.
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The figure was also up 4% on last year, when there were 75,740.
Although temporary accommodation offers more protection than rough sleeping, it is often completely unfit for purpose and even dangerous.
By it’s very nature, temporary accommodation is just that – temporary, and people often uncomfortably close to a return to the streets.
Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes said: ‘Temporary accommodation is often cramped, unsuitable and sometimes even dangerous.
‘It can have a devastating impact on people’s lives and mental health, and it’s no place for anyone to call home.
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‘This can’t go on. Temporary accommodation can be an important short-term measure, but when so many people are finding themselves stuck there it’s clear that the Government must invest more in schemes to prevent homelessness in the first place – and ultimately to end it once and for all.’
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The figures, released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, showed that the number of households accepted as statutorily homeless in England fell to 13,640 between October 1 and December 31 last year, from 15,280 on the previous quarter and 14,420 on the same quarter of 2016.
These are households that are owed a main homelessness duty to secure accommodation as a result of being unintentionally homeless and in priority need, the report said.
The Local Government Association’s housing spokesman Martin Tett urged the Government to help councils borrow to build new homes.
He said: ‘On average over the last three years, councils are having to house the equivalent of an extra secondary school’s worth of homeless children in temporary accommodation every month.
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‘That is not only unsustainable for councils, but hugely disruptive to the families involved, and it’s crucial we tackle our national housing shortage at the root cause, by building the homes our communities desperately need.’
The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which will be implemented on April 3, will change the way data is collected on the issue.
A broader definition of homelessness will mean councils are required to help more people secure accommodation.
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