One in 160 people in England facing a homeless Christmas

At least 354,000 people in England, including 161,500 children, will spend Christmas without a home, a rise of 14 per cent (44,500 individuals) since this time last year.

The figures have been compiled by housing charity Shelter from Freedom of Information requests and reveal that one in 160 people in England is currently homeless. The data includes 326,000 people who are living in temporary accommodation, most of whom are families with children.

London is facing the most severe homelessness issues in the country, with an estimated 183,000 people in temporary accommodation – equivalent to more than one in 50 residents. This is the highest level of homelessness ever recorded in the capital.

London Councils, a cross-party group that represents local government across the city, said urgent action was needed to address the “national homelessness emergency”.  

Councillor Grace Williams, London Councils’ executive member for housing & regeneration, commented: “The impact of homelessness on individuals – especially children – is devastating and the pressures on local services are unsustainable. We need urgent action to turn the crisis around.”

The organisation estimates that around 90,000 children are currently living in temporary accommodation in the metropolis – a figure that equates to at least one homeless child in every London classroom.

In October London Councils published analysis showing that the capital’s 32 boroughs collectively spent £4m every day on temporary accommodation for homeless Londoners in 2023-24. London boroughs’ spending on temporary accommodation had meanwhile jumped by 68 per cent in one year.

The total number of people homeless in the city rose by 12 per cent in the period, reaching a total of 187,000, with Newham topping the list with one in 18 residents lacking a secure home.

Outside London, Slough is the local authority with the highest rate of homelessness (one in 51 people), followed by Luton (one in 57) and Manchester (one in 61). The North-east saw the largest annual increase, with homelessness numbers rising from 1,500 to 2,300 people.