227,000 households across Britain are experiencing the ‘worst forms of homelessness’

227,000 families and individuals across Britain are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, new research from homelessness charity Crisis reveals today. This includes people sleeping on the streets, stuck in insecure accommodation like B&Bs, or forced to sleep in cars and sheds because they don’t have a place to call home.

The research, led by Heriot Watt University, shows 227,000 households on any given night are without a home to call their own. Most of these households are in England, not just because of the larger population, but also because there are higher levels of homelessness than in Scotland and Wales: 0.86% of all households in England are experiencing homelessness on any given night, compared with 0.69% in Wales and 0.57% in Scotland.

These different rates of core homelessness across the three nations are due to the different housing and homelessness policies in place; for example, in Scotland rates are lower than in England due to factors such as a better supply of social housing and more inclusive access homelessness services.

Some of the more common forms of homelessness include those living in unsuitable temporary accommodation like B&Bs for extended periods of time. Nearly 25,000 families and individuals are living this way, including 22,600 households across England alone. Levels are rapidly increasing too, as the number of households experiencing this form of homelessness in England is three times what it was in 2012.

These already high levels of homelessness are predicted to rise in the immediate future and even more over the next 20 years if the right action isn’t taken to address it. Around 350,000 households in Britain are predicted to experience homelessness by 2041, of which over 320,000 will be in England.

This research comes today as Crisis opens their Christmas services for the 50th year, supporting people facing homelessness over the festive period.

Jon Sparkes, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “No-one should be without a place to call home now or at any time of year. It is utterly devastating that throughout Britain thousands of people are facing a Christmas on the streets, trying to shelter in places like a car or stuck living in one room in a B&B with no proper cooking or washing facilities. It shouldn’t have to be like this.

“For the last 50 years at Crisis at Christmas we’ve opened our doors to people at one of the most difficult times of the year, providing respite from the hardships of homelessness. More importantly, we’ve introduced thousands of people to our year-round support to help them leave homelessness behind for good. We don’t want to have to be here in another 50 years.

“These predictions for rising homelessness levels are stark, but with the right government action to end homelessness for all, we can make sure they don’t become a reality. Last year, we saw the difference government action made, helping people off the streets and into emergency accommodation. We need to see all governments act to make sure everyone has a safe and secure home and to help people avoid homelessness before it happens.

“Until homelessness is ended for good though, Crisis will continue to be here at Christmas and all year round providing vital support to the individuals who need us.”