Statistics reveal there are now 132,410 households living in temporary accommodation in England, which is 7.6% more from this time last year. This increase has occurred after more landlords this year have decided to sell their properties which led to occupants seeking help from their council to prevent homelessness.
According to government statistics, between April and June 2025, 6,700 households made requests to their council. Property 118 says that this figure is three times higher than the next most common reason for the end of the tenancy.
Which area is most affected?
In total across England, the number of homeless children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 8% to a number of 2,420. Property 118 says this is “the highest number since records began 21 years ago.”
It comes as no surprise that London is the worst-affected area in the country. Data shows that just under 100,000 children in the city are homeless in temporary accommodation (97,140) and nearly half (46%) of all households (34,280) are accommodated out of area.
According to Property 118, “The government statistics reveal a third of households (32%), 42,740, are accommodated in temporary accommodation outside of their home area, up 10% in one year.”
What Shelter had to say on the issue
In a press release, Shelter is calling on the government to unfreeze LHA rates to “prevent those pushed to the brink by rocketing private rents from becoming homeless.”
The charity believes that ending homelessness is only possible if more socials homes are built each year. Shelter says at least 90,000 would be needed to solve the issue.
Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns and policy at Shelter, said: “It’s utterly shameful that the number of children homeless could now fill a city the size of Oxford. Thousands face a long, grim winter stuck in temporary accommodation, including freezing bedsits and cramped B&Bs, because successive governments have passed the buck for a housing emergency of their making.
“Every day we hear from families who are terrified of spending months or even years in appalling conditions, watching their breath hang in the air as damp and mould climbs the walls. These conditions are only worsened by bitter isolation, as many are moved miles away from their extended families, schools, and communities.”
What prevention methods could be enforced?
The National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) says that landlords shouldn’t have to suffer potential tax hikes in the Autumn Budget, they should be encouraged to invest.
If landlords are encouraged to invest, they are more likely to stay in the market for long-term and provide decent quality homes for the public.
