Special report: data shows major four-year rise in temporary accommodation levels

In response to the rise, Darren Rodwell, housing spokesperson at the Local Government Association, called for the Local Housing Allowance to be “urgently reviewed” to stem the flow of people falling into homelessness.

He says: “The reasons why people become homeless are complex and we need to prevent people from reaching crisis point in the first place, while providing tailored support for those who are already homeless.

“To reduce the numbers presenting as homeless and placed in temporary accommodation, Local Housing Allowance rates should also be urgently reviewed to ensure that at least a third of the market is affordable for people claiming housing-related benefits.”

He added that councils’ homelessness services also needed to be “adequately resourced” and that the government should develop a cross-departmental homelessness prevention strategy.

“There is also potential for some councils to review their own estates and convert commercial properties into homes, if planned properly and via the planning application process. As per our six-point plan, councils also need to be given the powers and resources to build 100,000 social homes a year to address the national shortage of affordable housing.”

There was a fall of just 6.3 per cent in the number of people who were found accommodation for six months or more under a prevention duty – to 17,150 – but a rise of 23 per cent in those accommodated through the relief duty – to 16,070.

Regional differences

Social Housing has analysed the homelessness statistics by region to assess which areas in England are seeing big rises in temporary accommodation as well as Section 21 levels and overall homelessness assessments.

The biggest percentage rise in temporary accommodation levels was seen across the North East, which recorded a 300 per cent increase from 200 to 800. This was followed by Yorkshire and the Humber, which was up 171 per cent from 960 to 2,600, and the North West, which was up 97 per cent from 3,480 to 6,870.

London had a more modest increase of six per cent – although, overall, it had the highest levels of temporary accommodation at 60,040. This was followed by the South East, with 12,320 households in TA (up from 8,870).

The largest regional percentage rises for temporary accommodation located in a local authority area different to their home district came from outside the capital (England, excluding London, was up 148 per cent).

The North West saw the biggest rise in temporary accommodation in a local authority area different to people’s home district, which was up 724 per cent (170 to 1,400), followed by the North East, where it was up 600 per cent (from 10 to 70), and Yorkshire and the Humber, where it rose 300 per cent (40 to 160). The South East saw a 184 per cent rise from 980 to 2,780. But as with general temporary accommodation levels, London had the highest overall stats here with 24,120 in total (up 20 per cent on 2019).

For no-fault evictions, the North East had the highest increase with a 93 per cent rise to 290 (from 150). The North West followed with a 75 per cent climb to 1,090 and then London with a near 50 per cent rise to 1,190.

Rises in the total number of people assessed for homelessness was highest in the West Midlands (up 21 per cent), followed by the North West (20 per cent) and the South East (11 per cent).

Individual local authorities

Homelessness trends in individual local authorities have also been assessed to gauge the top rises and falls in assessments, Section 21 evictions and temporary accommodation levels – although it is worth noting that some local authority data was missing or incomplete, meaning that in some instances we have been unable to compare local authorities with their peers.

Enfield and Manchester were the only two local authorities to feature in the top 10 lists for highest increases (by number) in people assessed for homelessness, as well as people found to need prevention or relief duty, people made homelessness due to the end of an AST and, of those, people made homelessness due to the end of an AST where a landlord wished to sell or relet.

An Enfield Council spokesperson acknowledged the homelessness challenge, which they say has worsened because of macroeconomic factors. “Boroughs like Enfield are being disproportionately affected by the latest turbulence in the economy because we are more reliant on the private rented sector and landlords are leaving the market due to rising interest rates,” they say.

“The government has failed to develop a plan for housebuilding across the country and despite high numbers of affordable houses being delivered across London by councils, demand is outstripping supply. In Enfield and elsewhere in London, Local Housing Allowance does not cover average rents and the government is failing to act. As a result, there are simply not enough appropriate and affordable properties available locally, meaning we are having to place increasing numbers of homeless households in hotels.”

On temporary accommodation, they added: “Temporary accommodation is an important safety net for emergencies, but it is not a long-term solution. Therefore, we have no alternative but to follow the approach of many other local authorities and help find homeless households decent, stable homes in affordable areas outside of London. We will assist people to move with practical solutions. Our lobbying of the government to urgently address the rental and housing crises will continue.”