The number of households living in temporary accommodation in England rose 89 per cent over the past decade to 104,000 households at the end of March 2023 – the highest figures since records began in 1998.
The severe shortage of social housing means councils are being forced to pay to house people in private temporary accommodation, including hotels and B&Bs, while they wait for a permanent home.
Dwindling supply is further compounded by the rising cost of living and – up until November’s Autumn Statement (see Autumn Statement ‘to stimulate growth’ and The Autumn Statement) – frozen Local Housing Allowance rates, which have been driving increases in homelessness and reducing councils’ ability to source suitable accommodation.
The LGA continues to call for long-term funding certainty to help councils deliver an ambitious build programme of 100,000 high-quality, climate-friendly social homes a year.
Cllr Darren Rodwell, LGA Housing Spokesperson, said: “Councils are under mounting pressure to find suitable homes for an ever-increasing number of people and are doing the best they can under current circumstances.
“A plethora of issues has meant that council budgets are being squeezed and the chronic shortage of suitable housing means that councils are increasingly having to turn to alternative options for accommodation at a significant cost.
“Councils need to be given the powers and resources to build enough social homes for their residents so they can create a more prosperous place to live, with healthier and happier communities.”