Almost 5,300 people across Berkshire and Hampshire homeless this Christmas
Charity Shelter says most of those people are in temporary accommodation
Around 5,300 people across Berkshire and Hampshire are currently homeless according to new research published by Shelter.
Its analysis of official rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation figures shows that around 2,379 people are without a permanent place to stay across Berkshire.
In Hampshire the figure is even higher, with 2,896 people currently homeless.
Shelter says Covid protections such as the ‘Everyone In’ scheme, the eviction ban, and the boost to Universal Credit played a vital role in keeping people in their homes and supressing homelessness during the pandemic.
However it is warning that with these protections gone, living costs soaring and another uncertain winter ahead, there is a risk of the flood gates reopening and thousands more people losing their homes across the country.
Shelter is calling on the public to support its frontline workers who have been inundated with calls to its emergency helpline from people facing homelessness this winter.
The charity says it is hearing from people who are facing a night on the streets in freezing conditions after being turned away from emergency accommodation, as well as families in dire straits living in grotty hostel rooms where parents and siblings are forced to share beds, and there are only communal facilities.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: "We predicted the pandemic would trigger a rising tide of evictions and our services are starting to see the reality of this now. We’re flooded with calls from families and people of all ages who are homeless or on the verge of losing their home".
Shelter’s new report also reveals the areas across Surrey and Hampshire where homelessness is most acute:
• The New Forest district of Hampshire has the highest rate of homelessness in the county, with 843 people without a home.
• For every 400 people in Reading at least 1 is homeless or in temporary accommodation.
• On any given night on the streets of Reading there are at least 19 people sleeping rough.
Shelter says that whilst its analysis is the most comprehensive overview of recorded homelessness in the country, the figure is likely to be an underestimate due to limited reporting.
According to the charity the estimated number of homeless people in each district of Berkshire and Hampshire is as follows:
Berkshire
Bracknell Forest - 473
Reading - 399
Slough - 797
West Berkshire - 151
Windsor & Maidenhead - 463
Wokingham - 96
Hampshire
Basingstoke & Deane - 80
Eastleigh - 57
East Hampshire - 224
Fareham - 191
Gosport - 324
Havant - 126
Hart - 39
New Forest - 843
Portsmouth - 291
Rushmoor - 125
Southampton - 469
Test Valley - 51
Winchester - 76
Some types of homelessness, such as sofa surfing, go entirely undocumented meaning the true figure will be much higher.
Polly Neate continued: "A shoddy hostel room or a freezing cold doorway is no place to wake up on Christmas morning, but sadly so many people will.
"This winter the work of our frontline staff is as critical as ever. Our emergency helpline advisers work 365 days a year, doing everything they can to help people find a safe and secure home.
"By giving a little the public can help us do a lot - with their support we can keep providing support and advice to thousands of families facing homelessness this year".
You can read more about Shelter's Winter Appeal and find out how to donate on its website.