Number of homeless in East of England rises to 20,000
A leading homelessness charity says the housing emergency is "out of control"
Last updated 14th Dec 2023
Research from the leading homelessness charity Shelter shows at least 19,900 people in the East of England will spend Christmas without a home, including over 9,500 children.
That's a sharp increase of 16% in the last 12 months, the charity says.
The research, collated through analysis of homelessness figures and responses to Freedom of Information requests, shows 285 people are sleeping rough on any given night, while 19,190 are living in temporary accommodation - most of whom are children.
Looking into Suffolk - East Suffolk saw the highest number of people without a home (301) followed by West Suffolk with 210, then Ipswich (132) with Babergh close behind at 119 and finally Mid Suffolk (83).
Councils have a legal obligation to house those who are vulnerable, but the shortage of affordable homes means they're having to rely on temporary accommodation.
The charity says it's a situation which is leaving homeless people and families stuck in hostels, B&Bs and cramped bedsits - often having to share beds with inadequate cooking and laundry facilities.
Those not entitled to accommodation may end up on the streets, sofa-surfing or living in dangerous conditions.
Chief executive of Shelter, Polly Neate, said: “Homelessness is on nobody’s Christmas list, but nearly 20,000 people in the East of England will spend this time of year in a tiny hostel room or freezing in a doorway.
“The housing emergency is out of control. Chronic underinvestment in social homes has left people unable to afford skyrocketing private rents and plunged record numbers into homelessness. It is appalling that the government has allowed thousands of families to be packed into damp and dirty B&B’s and hostel rooms, which are traumatising children and making people desperately ill.
“Until the government takes this emergency seriously, our frontline services will do everything they can to help people keep or find a safe home this winter. It is only with the public’s support that we can continue to provide vital advice and support and fight for the solutions people want and need to end homelessness.”
The Government say over £600 million is being given out to councils in England between now and 2025, to help them prevent and tackle homelessness.