More than 100 people in Scarborough estimated as homeless this Christmas
Charity Shelter has come up with the figures.
109 people are homeless in Scarborough right now, according to new research published by Shelter.
That's more than anywhere else in North Yorkshire.
Its analysis of official rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation figures shows that 11 people are sleeping rough on any given night and 98 are living in temporary accommodation.
The charity 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.
Chief executive of Shelter, Polly Neate, 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 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.
In addition, some types of homelessness go entirely undocumented, such as sofa surfing, meaning the true figure will be much higher.
You can read more about Shelter's Winter Appeal and find out how to donate on its website.