New statutory homelessness statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government found that 38,440 households were listed as threatened with homelessness, a reduction of just 0.6% from the same quarter last year.
This included 6,630 households threatened with homelessness after receiving a Section 21 notice – an increase of 1.2% from the same quarter last year, showing no fault evictions growing as a cause of homelessness prevention claims.
The figures also included new recorded highs for homelessness relief and child homelessness.
Homelessness relief claims – for those already homeless – hit a new high of 48,080, an increase of over 11% on the previous year’s quarter, and an unprecedented 151,630 children were recorded as living in temporary accommodation.
Data released today by the Ministry of Justice found that landlord repossessions by bailiffs increased by 16% on the previous year’s quarter, from 5,950 to 6,927.
The total number of Section 21 claims brought to the courts by landlords since the Government pledged to abolish the practice in 2019 now stands at 109,538.
Homelessness organisations and renters’ rights campaigners have called for urgent action to end no fault evictions and reforms to provide renters with security in their homes.
Tom Darling, director of the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “Everyone deserves to live in a decent affordable home, but for millions of us this is made impossible by a broken renting system.
“Renters in England have been waiting for years for basic reforms while this social crisis has spiralled out of control, with soaring rents forcing families out of their homes and no-fault evictions leading to record levels of child homelessness.
“While in opposition, this Government pledged to end no fault evictions “immediately”, and the King’s speech last month rightly promised a ‘Renters’ Rights Bill’.
“However, renters cannot afford to wait much longer – we must see legislation brought forward soon to get a grip on the situation and address the renting crisis.”
Peter Matejic, chief analyst at JRF, added: “These statistics show how important it is that the Government fulfils its manifesto promise for a cross-government strategy to end homelessness.
“Not having a safe and secure home is really damaging to people’s health and wellbeing, limiting their options and opportunities.
“Rising homelessness also impacts our public services. Teachers and GPs across the country are spending more of their time and resources dealing with the consequences of high levels of hardship, including more children living in unsuitable temporary accommodation.
“Families at the sharpest end of this national crisis need to see action now. We must get back on track to ending homelessness so that everyone can have a solid foundation on which to build their lives.”
