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Children homeless in temporary accommodation hits shameful new record of 151,000 – up 15% in a year
Shelter press release 8 August 2024.
Two separate sets of statistics released by the government on 8th August reveal the extent of England’s rapidly escalating housing emergency.
The new statutory homelessness figures, which cover the period January to March 2024, reveal:
The number of children who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation with their families in England has rocketed to 151,630 - an increase of 15% in a year - and the highest figure since records began in 2004.
The number of homeless families living in emergency accommodation such as B&Bs and hostels has reached 8,860 – a rise of 29% in a year. This type of emergency accommodation is notoriously overcrowded, expensive and unsuitable.
Overall there are now a record 117,450 homeless households living in temporary accommodation in England – the highest figure ever and up 12% in a year.
The loss of a private tenancy remains the leading trigger of homelessness accounting for more than one in four households found to be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.