Nearly 400 households become homeless every day

New government figures show that 397 households became homeless every day between July and September 2021.

Containing the first three full months’ worth of data after the eviction ban was lifted, the figures indicate that a  total of 36,510 households were tipped into homelessness – equivalent to a town the size of Burnley.  

With its emergency helpline already under pressure, homeless charity Shelter is warning that a further deluge of homelessness lies ahead. Now that other Covid protections, such as the £20 boost to Universal Credit and furlough are also gone, and energy and fuel bills are surging, the charity is bracing itself to help people with nowhere else to turn.  

Worryingly, the government’s homelessness data also revealed: more people are facing homelessness as a result of the loss of a private rental; 4,440 households were threatened with homelessness after receiving a Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notice from their landlord – a 33 per cent rise on the previous quarter; and since the start of the pandemic a total of 222,360 households have been tipped into homelessness – equivalent to a city the size of Liverpool.

Shelter is calling on the public to support its frontline workers as they work seven days a week to help as many people as possible to find or keep hold of a safe home. In the first three weeks of January alone, the charity’s free emergency helpline received more than 21,500 calls from people in need of urgent support and advice. Of those calling, 73 per cent were already homeless or at risk.  

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Last summer, even with some Covid protections still in place, nearly 400 households a day were thrown into homelessness. Now, living costs are spiralling and all the protections are gone, even more people will be exposed to homelessness. The advisers working on our emergency helpline can hear the sheer panic in people’s voices as they ring up desperate to keep a safe roof over their heads. The stress and uncertainty of the situation seeps into every part of a person’s or family’s life.

“The end of the eviction ban has triggered a rising tide of homelessness that could turn into a flood. No-one should have to face homelessness alone, which is why we urgently need the public’s support so that we can keep picking up the phone and give anyone who needs it free and expert help.”