The latest rise in already-record numbers of households stuck in temporary accommodation inevitably focuses minds on Andy Burnham’s pledge outside Number 10 to end rough sleeping.
This isn’t a case of ‘famous last words’ – at least not yet – but it certainly bears testament to why the Prime Minister’s words struck such a chord. The latest statutory homelessness statistics published yesterday show once again that however mixed the picture, it remains a chronic and worsening problem.
The figures cover the period the January to March 2026 period precede Burnham’s arrival at Number 10, of course, but they serve to demonstrate the scale of the task he faces to tackle homelessness.
The latest release show that 135,580 households were in temporary accommodation as of the end of the quarter. This is a rise of 1.1% on the previous quarter and sets a record high for households with and without children. Other key findings include:
- Between January and March 2026, 83,850 households were assessed as owed a duty to prevent or relieve homelessness, a decrease of 2.1% on the same period in the previous year
- Within this, 39,200 households were assessed as being threatened with homelessness and therefore owed a prevention duty, up 1.8% compared to last year
- 44,650 households were initially assessed as homeless and therefore owed a relief duty, down 5.3% compared to last year
- The number of households successfully securing accommodation for six months or more after their prevention duty ends has increased by 3.6 percentage points in comparison to the previous year, to 54.7% of households
- Conversely, the number of people experiencing homelessness after their prevention duty ends has decreased by 2.4 percentage points in comparison to the previous year, to 25% of households
Fiona Colley, director of policy and communications at umbrella organisation, Homeless Link, acknowledged the mixed bag of fortunes the numbers revealed as both “terrible” and “heartening”.
“It is terrible to see the number of families and children trapped in unsuitable and health-threatening temporary accommodation continue to grow,” she said. “However we are heartened to see positive signs in other parts of the system, with a decrease in households being found to be at risk of or experiencing homelessness, and more households having their homelessness prevented.
“We have welcomed the Prime Minister’s pledge to end rough sleeping, and the record levels of additional funding to back this. We now need that same political drive focused on a coordinated effort to prevent and end all forms of homelessness.
“All of government must work together and be held accountable to ensure that people are not being pushed into homelessness through a lack of preventative support, whether that be in social security or healthcare. We are calling for a cross-government taskforce to lead on this ambition.
“We are also clear that the system and the way it is funded must be transformed from a patchwork of crisis interventions to a sustainable model rooted in prevention and long-term support. With the Prime Minister’s stated support for the idea of a ‘national housing first philosophy’, we hope his government will have the political will to make the bold choices needed to end homelessness for good.”
System-wide change
In further reaction, Emma Haddad, chief executive at St Mungo’s, said: “[These] figures show why the Prime Minister’s commitment to end rough sleeping is so important. There have been small improvements in some areas, but the overall picture remains stark: thousands of people are still being pushed into homelessness or forced to turn to councils in a state of emergency.”
She added: “The repeal of the Renters’ Rights Act, announced earlier in the year, should help reduce this pressure in future by putting an end to ‘no-fault’ evictions – but legislation alone will not end homelessness. These figures show homelessness is about far more than a lack of housing. Most households seeking help have additional support needs, underlining the need for investment in mental health, substance use and wider support services alongside secure housing.
“Our frontline teams see that the longer these needs aren’t addressed, the more protracted people’s health needs become and the harder it is to help people recover from homelessness or prevent it outright.
“That is why we need system-wide change: preventing homelessness outright, more secure housing, and the right support at the right time for people facing the greatest barriers. At St Mungo’s, our frontline teams see every day that with safe accommodation and sustained as well as tailored support, people can recover from homelessness and rebuild their lives.”
Stephanie Morphew, policy lead on homelessness at the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “Since the last statistical release, Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister and placed homelessness at the centre of his mission. Having previously described the number of children in the UK living in temporary accommodation as a ‘national shame’, we look forward to hearing from the government what steps they will take to address today’s record high of households living in temporary accommodation.
“In June, the government made a commitment around temporary accommodation quality conditions data collection in their response to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee report into housing conditions in temporary accommodation. It also promised to review three other issues linked to this wider problem. These actions, alongside those proposed in the National Plan to End Homelessness, must underpin the direction of travel going forward.
“Long term, creating more secure and affordable tenancies by increasing the amount of new social rented homes is the answer to the homelessness crisis. Right now, the most effective way to combat this is to ensure that social security payments cover private rents by restoring Local Housing Allowance rates so that at least the bottom 30% of rents in an area are covered. The Autumn Budget must turn ambition into lasting change.”
Lee Buss-Blair, director of operations at Riverside, said: “These latest figures are a stark reminder of the depth and breadth of the homelessness emergency across England … It is crucial that the Prime Minister and Chancellor agree a new settlement for homelessness services and supported housing as part of the Treasury’s review to help bring hope to thousands of people and their families who are affected by homelessness.”
Image credit: Mike_shots – Shutterstock
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