Bedford has the highest risk of homelessness in the UK, study finds
Over 1,700 households in the town alone are at risk of homelessness
Bedford has emerged as the area with the highest risk of homelessness in the UK, according to new research.
The study carried out by the charity Church on The Street reveals a growing crisis, with Bedford showing more households at risk of becoming homeless than any other local authority in the country.
The data highlights that 1,724 households in Bedford are officially at risk of homelessness, a figure that is more than six times the national average of 267 households.
Additionally, Bedford has an estimated 18 rough sleepers on a single night, 38% higher than the national average of 13.
Pastor Mick Fleming, founder of Church on The Street, said: "The levels of homelessness and severe poverty we have seen in the UK over the past few years are the worst they have ever been."
"To have so many households at risk in Bedford, alongside a high number of rough sleepers, is simply unacceptable."
While the figures highlight the growing number of people at risk of homelessness, Pastor Mick Fleming warned of the suspected far greater scale of the issue not reflected in official numbers.
He said: "If you take rough sleeping just for example, there's a criteria to be counted as a rough sleeper. So you've got to be visible."
"So the study that we've done is based on those actual figures, but the reality is a lot worse than the figures, unfortunately."
Many individuals, including those sofa surfing or hidden homeless, are not captured in the counts. Criteria for rough sleeping often miss those not visibly bedded down in public.
The research also revealed a surprising north-south divide, with southern regions facing a greater risk of homelessness. Factors contributing to the crisis include addiction, family breakdown, underfunding, and untreated mental health issues.
According to Pastor Mick Fleming, access to services further remains a significant barrier. Many people lack the knowledge or means to navigate online systems or understand their rights to housing and support, and this lack of access perpetuates homelessness and poverty.
Other areas with high homelessness risk include Hinckley and Bosworth (East Midlands), Dorset (South West), Cornwall (South West), and Sefton (North West).