Shelter condemns ‘shocking’ 14% rise in homelessness across England

Charity says soaring private rents, rising evictions and lack of affordable social housing are to blame

Soaring private rents, rising evictions and a chronic lack of affordable social housing have led to homelessness in England increasing by 14%, research from Shelter reveals.

The charity described its latest figures as “shocking” and “astounding”. They are contained in a report that estimates that on any given night more than 354,000 people in England are homeless, which is one in 160 people. That includes 161,500 children.

An estimated 326,000 people, most of them families with children, are in temporary accommodation in England, a 17% rise in one year.

About 3,900 people are sleeping rough on any given night, a 10% increase.

There are a further 16,600 single people in hostels or other homeless accommodation.