At least 130,000 households made homeless in pandemic

Data has suggested that at least 130,000 households in England were made homeless during the first year of the pandemic, despite the government’s ban on evictions.

Sourced by the Observer, the figures show that even while the eviction ban was in place, households were being forced from their homes. With the ban now over, fears are rising that a surge of evictions may be imminent.

Analysis of published government homelessness statistics and figures collected under the Freedom of Information Act from around 70 per cent of local authorities in England show that 132,362 households were assessed by councils as being owed the ‘relief duty’, where a household is deemed to already be homeless. The number of homeless households rose slightly in 2020-21 compared with the previous year.

Overall, councils in England were approached 274,000 times for homelessness assistance during 2020-21, with around 106,000 owed the ‘prevention duty’ as they were at risk of homelessness but not yet legally homeless.

A government spokesperson said the figures were ‘entirely speculative’, and said: “We have taken unprecedented action to protect renters and support those at risk of homelessness and rough sleeping during the pandemic with the ongoing Everyone In scheme supporting around 37,000 vulnerable people. We’re providing over £750 million this year alone to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.”