Activist group Generation Rent has described the latest homelessness data from the government as showing “a whole new level of horror.”
It claims that ,ore people were made homeless in England than bought their first home in the 12 months to 30 September 2023, the data just released.
The group says this is the first time that this has happened since records began and reveals “a shift to a whole new level of horror” in the housing system.
Some 126,100 households bought a home in the 12 months to 30 September 2023 according to government Stamp Duty Land Tax statistics. This was down from 264,400 in the 12 months to 30 September 2022.
In the same period 164,630 households were made homeless, being owed a homelessness relief duty from their council, according to statutory homelessness statistics published this week. This is up from 148,110 in the 12 months to 30 September 2022.
Ben Twomey – chief executive of Generation Rent – says: “The housing system has been in crisis for many years, but these latest figures reveal a shift to a whole new level of horror. Instead of helping people get on in life, the housing system is now hauling us backwards. The government must face down vested interests who are blocking progress and act more decisively to protect tenants from unfair evictions while building the homes we need to lead the lives we want.”
And Matt Downie – chief executive of homelessness charity Crisis – adds: “The scale of rough sleeping is now a source of national shame. It is a sign of extreme inequality and must prompt a rethink at the highest levels of government. It cannot be overstated how dehumanising sleeping on the streets is. Through our frontline services we hear directly from people who have been spat at, urinated on or attacked simply because they do not have the security of a safe home. Things have got to change.
“To bring these numbers down, we urgently need the Westminster government to put long-term funding into the proven solutions we know help people to leave the streets behind, such as Housing First. But crucially, we also need to see a complete change in approach and a commitment to build the levels of social housing we need every year. By taking these steps we can start to bring these numbers down and, most importantly, ensure that people get the security of a stable home.”
