One in 50 Londoners in non permanent lodging, information suggests
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spherical one in 50 Londoners have been residing in non permanent lodging this spring, in response to information from the physique representing native councils within the capital.
The “appalling” statistic is the “latest evidence of the homelessness disaster unfolding in the capital”, London Councils mentioned.
The cross-party organisation, which represents the pursuits of the 32 London boroughs and the City of London Corporation, mentioned homelessness pressures throughout the capital are “fast becoming unmanageable” and politicians should “treat this as the emergency it clearly is”.
It surveyed all London native authorities for his or her newest homelessness information, masking March and April this 12 months, and had responses from 28 boroughs.
The organisation mentioned it estimated figures for the remaining 4 boroughs, by making use of the typical year-on-year enhance from the responses obtained to the official homelessness statistics for March 2022.
It prompt that, because the Government’s official homelessness statistics for March 2023 – revealed final week – have been lacking information from 9 boroughs, the London Councils estimate is a extra correct illustration of the capital’s homeless inhabitants.
Homelessness doesn’t simply seek advice from people who find themselves sleeping tough, however can embody folks with someplace to sleep which is simply non permanent or in housing that’s insecure or insufficient.
London Councils estimated there have been 169,393 Londoners residing in non permanent lodging on the time of its survey, together with 83,473 kids.
In comparability, the Government’s newest homelessness statistics masking January till March this 12 months gave figures for the variety of households in non permanent lodging, quite than people.
The Government numbers did nonetheless give a determine of 76,970 for the full variety of kids in non permanent lodging in London within the first three months of this 12 months.
This is the newest proof of the homelessness catastrophe unfolding within the capital. One in 50 Londoners homeless and residing in non permanent lodging is an appalling statistic
London Councils mentioned it had reached its one in 50 estimate for Londoners in non permanent lodging by dividing London’s inhabitants of 8,796,628 in 2021 by the survey estimate of 169,393.
The physique is looking on the Government to deal with the homelessness state of affairs by elevating native housing allowance (LHA), supporting councils to purchase lodging offered by personal landlords, boosting Homelessness Prevention Grant funding, rising discretionary housing funds – utilized by councils to assist residents in monetary disaster meet their housing prices – and bringing ahead a cross-departmental technique to cut back homelessness.
Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ govt member for regeneration, housing and planning, mentioned: “This is the latest evidence of the homelessness disaster unfolding in the capital. One in 50 Londoners homeless and living in temporary accommodation is an appalling statistic.
“We are especially concerned by the skyrocketing numbers of families stuck in B&Bs. Nobody wants this happening and boroughs do everything we can to support homeless families into suitable accommodation. However, more and more often boroughs face a total lack of other options for keeping a roof over these families’ heads.
“Homelessness pressures across the capital are fast becoming unmanageable. Ministers need to treat this as the emergency it clearly is. Much more action is needed to help low-income households avoid homelessness and to reverse the rising numbers relying on temporary accommodation.”
On prime of constructing extra social housing, the Westminster Government should unfreeze housing profit so that folks will pay their lease
Francesca Albanese, director of coverage and social change at Crisis, mentioned: “These statistics are shocking – there is no denying that.
“But what they don’t show is the lives on hold, the homework being done in cramped, noisy conditions, the inability to cook healthy meals because of a lack of facilities and the wearing down of the hope and resilience required to keep fighting for a secure home.
“This is the story playing out for the tens of thousands of people stuck in temporary accommodation in London, and across the country, and shows that we’re not doing enough – either nationally or in the capital – to deliver the genuinely affordable homes that are so desperately needed.
“This must stop. On top of building more social housing, the Westminster Government must unfreeze housing benefit so that people can pay their rent. Only this action will ensure that no Londoner – or anyone else – finds themselves without a safe place to call home.”
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities mentioned: “Temporary accommodation ensures no family is without a roof over their heads. However, we have been clear the long-term use of B&Bs for families with children is unlawful and we are determined to stop this.
“We are giving councils across London £350 million through the Homelessness Prevention Grant, this can be used to help people find new homes and out of temporary accommodation.
“We recognise that times are tough for many families, but in addition to wider support we are also funding specialist teams across the country to provide bespoke support to councils. This will help to end the placement of families in temporary accommodation for long periods and includes advice on managing homelessness pressures and eliminating the use of B&Bs.”