LGA responds to latest annual homelessness figures

Responding to statistics on statutory homelessness in England for the 2020/21 financial year, Cllr David Renard, Local Government Association housing spokesperson, said:

“It is devastating for anyone to lose their home and councils are doing everything they can to support households and prevent them becoming homeless.

“Councils have worked tirelessly to tackle homelessness and the extraordinary effort to get thousands of rough sleepers off the streets during the pandemic is testament to this.

“While these figures reflect the emergency measures brought in following the COVID-19 outbreak, we are concerned that as life returns to normal there could be an increase in homelessness cases in the coming months. The increase in households with children who were homeless or threatened with homelessness due to domestic abuse is also deeply worrying.

“We want to work with government on a cross-departmental long-term homelessness prevention strategy and tackle our housing shortage as we recover from the pandemic.

“Giving councils the powers and resources to build 100,000 social homes for rent each year, including further reform to Right to Buy, would not only help to reduce homelessness but deliver a third of the Government’s housing target.”