The homelessness statistics for England continue to be bleak reading. Figures published today show that 126,040 households were in temporary accommodation on the 30th September 2024. This is an almost 16% increase from the same time the previous year.
With 164,040 children in TA, up from 158,380 the previous quarter, the number of children who find themselves homeless in temporary accommodation has increased by 4,660 in the course of three months.
14% of all households were placed in Bed & Breakfast accommodation (B&B), one of the least suitable forms of accommodation. The number of households in B&B accommodation with dependent children increased by 15.4% to 5,400 households by 30th September 2024, compared to the same time the year before. Of these, 3,470 households with children had been resident in a B&B for more than the statutory limit of 6 weeks.
Meanwhile, research from Crisis and the London School of Economics show that 56,000 households are stuck in the worst kinds of emergency accommodation, including B&Bs. This is an increase by 400% between 2018 and 2024. The research predicts council spending on the most unsuitable forms of emergency accommodation will reach £1.2bn within three years on current trends.
For each of the households in temporary accommodation, there is a devastating story of loss and crisis, often made worse by the TA that is supposed to provide relief. With ever increasing numbers, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that this is neither inevitable nor acceptable.
There is one small positive to take from the public figures released today. The 3,470 households with dependent children, who had been resident in B&Bs for more than 6 weeks, has been reduced from the previous quarter by 8%, down from 3,770. This of course does not mean they have been permanently housed, or even housed in suitable temporary accommodation, but it has been a long time since we have seen a reduction of any kind.
It is too soon to say why this is. We hope it is an early sign that the new government will be successful in their efforts to turn the tide on homelessness and begin the work of making stays in temporary accommodation short, safe and healthy. Everyone deserves that.
For this to happen we need more affordable and social housing, better standards and enforcement, improved support for TA residents and essential welfare reforms. You can read our advice to the government here.
