Homelessness research reveals “vast numbers” of families set to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation
With charity Shelter releasing research into homelessness levels, London councils say “vast numbers” of families in the capital will spend Christmas in temporary accommodation. “Urgent action” is needed to “turn the crisis around.”
Commenting on new research from the charity Shelter into homelessness levels, London Councils says “vast numbers” of families in the capital will spend Christmas in temporary accommodation and “urgent action” is needed to turn the crisis around.
Shelter’s analysis suggests 354,016 are likely to be homeless in England on any given night. This equates to one in 160 people in England being homeless – the majority in temporary accommodation, while others sleep rough or ‘sofa surf’.
London Councils highlights that the capital is experiencing the most severe homelessness pressures in the country. The cross-party group estimates that 183,000 Londoners live in temporary accommodation – equivalent to over one in 50. This is the highest level of homelessness ever recorded in the capital.
London Councils’ figure includes almost 90,000 children. From this, London Councils estimates there is on average at least one homeless child in every London classroom.
“London is the epicentre of a national homelessness emergency, with vast numbers of families set to spend Christmas in temporary accommodation,” Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said. “The impact of homelessness on individuals – especially children – is devastating and the pressures on local services are unsustainable. We need urgent action to turn the crisis around.”
In October London Councils published analysis showing that boroughs collectively spent £4m every day on temporary accommodation for homeless Londoners in 2023-24. London boroughs’ spending on temporary accommodation had jumped by a dramatic 68% in a single year.
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