Urgent action needed as inflation fuels homelessness crisis

As Government figures show another jump in homelessness, The Salvation Army wants urgent action to address the impact of inflation on the cost of housing and services that help those who become homeless.

New statistics from The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that from October to December 2022:

• 37,430 households in England were registered homeless, a rise of 8.1% compared to the same time last year;
• 31,800 households in England were threatened with homelessness; down just 0.6% compared to the same time last year;
• 101,300 households in England were housed in temporary or emergency accommodation, including 62,410 families with children.

Director of The Salvation Army’s Homelessness Services Unit, Nick Redmore, said:

“These figures show how the homelessness crisis has deepened as inflation has risen. More people than ever are unable to afford a place to live, and the value of Government funding for services that support those who become homeless has been eroded.

“The true extent of homelessness is even greater than the Government’s figures. Thousands more people are living on the street, sleeping in their cars or on friends’ sofas but missing from official records.

“We know the Government is faced with difficult economic decisions, but it’s vital that the freeze on the Local Housing Allowance is removed so that people in poverty can afford somewhere to live. Also, Government funding for the already-stretched local authority and voluntary sector rises with inflation to meet the increased costs of helping those who are homeless or at risk. Without these crucial changes to how homelessness is tackled, the numbers will, sadly, keep on growing.”