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Latest homelessness data published

ended 13. October 2023

The latest official homelessness data for England is out >> here <<. Key points below. Any thoughts send them across ASAP as this story is BREAKING.

  • Initial assessments were made for 311,990 households in England in 2022-23, up 7.0% from the previous year. Of these, 298,430 households were assessed as owed a homelessness duty, due to being  threatened with homelessness or already being homeless in 2022-23. This is up 6.8% from the previous year, and also 3.0% above the pre-COVID level in 2019-20. This increase from 2021-22 is driven by the increase in both households assessed as being threatened with homelessness, as well as households assessed as already homeless at the time of application.
  • 140,790 households were assessed as being threatened with homelessness and therefore owed a prevention duty in 2022-23. This is a 4.8% increase from 2021-22, however remains 5.7% below the pre-COVID-19 level in 2019-20. The increase from 2021-22 has been influenced by a  22.1% increase, to 54,320 households, in those threatened with homelessness due to the end of an assured shorthold tenancy. In particular there was a 23.5% increase in households owed a prevention duty due to landlords wishing to sell or re-let a property.
  • 157,640 households were assessed as homeless and therefore owed a relief duty in 2022-23. This is up 8.6% from 2021-22, and 12.1% above the pre-COVID-19 level in 2019-20. Similar to increases in prevention duties, this also has been influenced by a 39.4% increase, to 20,180 households, in those threatened with homelessness due to the end of an assured shorthold tenancy.

Other notable changes in 2022-23 compared to the previous year include:

  • decreases in the proportion of successful outcomes at the end of prevention and relief duties
  • increases in number of households (with and without children) owed a homelessness duty due to the end of an assured shorthold tenancy. In particular, large increases were seen in the end of assured shorthold tenancies due to landlords wishing to sell or re-let properties
  • an increase of 23.3% in households owed a prevention or relief duty where the main applicant was aged 65-74
  • increases in number of households owed a prevention or relief duty where the main applicant was in full-time (up 10.8%) or part-time work (up 6.5%), as well as a 19.3% increase in households where the main applicant was retired

1 responses from the Newspage community

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Joe Garner
Founder & Managing Director at Joe Garner Consulting
The rising numbers of households assessed for homelessness duties in 2022-23 indicate a pressing issue that needs immediate attention. To eradicate homelessness in the UK, we must address the root causes, including housing affordability, tenant rights, and economic challenges. Moreover, it's crucial to reassess and adapt homelessness prevention and relief programs to ensure their effectiveness. Protecting vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, and recognising that homelessness can impact those with jobs and retirees, is integral to creating a comprehensive strategy to combat homelessness.