Record numbers of households in England are living in temporary accommodation, underlining the need for long-term action to tackle homelessness and ease mounting pressures on councils, the LGA has said.
The latest government figures show 135,580 households were in temporary accommodation at the end of March 2026, up 3.6 per cent on the previous year and the highest level on record.
These include 177,530 children, an annual increase of 5.2 per cent.
The figures came as the Government announced an additional £102 million for tackling rough sleeping, following a July announcement of £340 million.
An LGA spokesperson said the increase in households in temporary accommodation was “striking”.
“This highlights how councils need changes to the way that this is funded by the Government, as, currently, the formula leaves councils out of pocket while the demand for support increases,” they added.
“Councils are under intense pressure due to service demand and the people that suffer the most from funding challenges are often those who are the most vulnerable and are seeking support.
“It should be noted that the number of children in bed and breakfast temporary accommodation has decreased, which is positive and shows this challenge is not beyond fixing.
“However, to do so – as well as achieve the Government’s admirable ambition of ending rough sleeping – requires sufficient resource for prevention and for greater energy on housebuilding, and a shift away from prioritising short-term support, which, while vital, only exacerbates the challenges our councils are facing.”