LGA responds to Shelter report on people in temporary accommodation

Responding to a report by Shelter which has found a quarter of a million people in England are homeless and living in temporary accommodation – 115,000 more than a decade ago, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said:

“It is a tragedy whenever anyone becomes homeless, and placements in temporary accommodation can present serious challenges for families – from parents’ employment and health to children’s ability to focus on school studies and form friendships.

“It was good the Government recognised the need to fund homelessness services in the Spending Review.

“However, these worrying figures underline why it is also important that there is a shift towards long-term investment in homelessness prevention services.

“With council housing waiting lists set to potentially nearly double as a result of COVID-19, we are calling for councils to be given powers to kickstart a post-pandemic building boom of 100,000 new social homes for rent each year, including reform of Right to Buy.”