THE number of homeless people in England living in temporary housing hit a 25 year high at the end of March, according to shocking new figures.
Some 104,510 households were placed in short-term accommodation, a 10% rise on the same period last year.
Some 104,510 households were living in temporary accommodation by the end of March this year
Among them were 131,370 kids, the highest level since records began.
Meanwhile, the number of households contacting town halls for help with either preventing homeless or getting out of it shot up by 5.7% to over 83,000.
Crisis, a national charity for homelessness in Britain, described the figures as “unacceptable”.
CEO Matt Downie said: “Once again, we see the crippling cost that years of no investment in housing benefit, and a shameful lack of social house building, is having by trapping families in temporary accommodation.
“Not only do people not have the stability and security of a home, but they’re often left to cope in just one room, with no facilities to cook meals or do washing.
“Households across the country desperately need more social homes as well as investment in housing benefit so that people can afford even the cheapest of rents.”
The figures come as Levelling Up Secretary Michael Gove this week outlined plans to ramp up housing development across Britain.
A chronic supply shortage in both the private and social sectors has led to soaring prices.
Under new plans empty department stores and offices will be turned into much-needed homes.
New flexibilities will allow takeaways and betting shops turn into housing.
And red tape will also be torn up to make it easier for homeowners to convert their lofts.
A mega new development in Cambridge will see the construction of around 250,000 new houses.
The government came under huge criticism last year when ministers decided to scrap town hall building targets.
Rishi Sunak and Mr Gove were accused of selling out to NIMBYs in their party.
But today the Levelling Up Secretary put anti-development backbenchers on notice.
He said that in some cases “we need to build in their back yard” in the “national interest”.
“You do need to intervene before breakfast, lunch and dinner to make sure people get the homes they need,” the minister added.
