Revealed: London's worst boroughs for homelessness as 'decades of failure to build housing' sparks 'epidemic' in the capital

'Epidemic': One in every 200 people in the UK is reportedly homeless, according to Shelter
PA Wire/PA Images
Fiona Simpson8 November 2017

Decades of failure to build affordable homes has led to devastating levels of homelessness across the capital, according to the head of the charity Shelter, which today published a major report on the issue.

According to their new research, London boroughs dominate the UK’s 50 hotspots for residents without permanent accommodation in the UK.

Thirty two areas cited as among the biggest contributors to Britain’s surging homeless population are in the capital, figures showed.

Some 13,607 homeless people live in Newham, east London, followed by 9,717 in Haringey, north London, and 8,054 in Westminster.

One in every 25 people in Newham is classed as homeless, figures showed.

London's ten worst areas for homelessness

1. Newham; London; 13,607 

2. Haringey; London; 9,717

3. Westminster; London; 8,054 

4. Enfield; London; 10,057 

5. Kensington and Chelsea; London; 4,401 

6. Waltham Forest; London; 7,634

7. Brent; London; 8,905

8. Barking and Dagenham; London; 5,578

9. Tower Hamlets; London; 7,428

10. Hackney; London; 6,167

Across the UK 13,000 more people are sleeping on streets and in temporary accommodation compared to the same time last year, Shelter revealed.

Some 307,000 people are classed as homeless – more than the entire population of Newcastle (296,478), the study showed.

Chief executive Polly Neate said thousands were stuck trying to "escape the devastating trap of homelessness", pointing to "decades of failure" on building affordable homes and the effects of recent welfare cuts.

She said: "Some will have spent the night shivering on a cold pavement, others crammed into a dingy, hostel room with their children.

"And what is worse, many are simply unaccounted for."

The Government was recently criticised by the public spending watchdog for failing to effectively tackle the rocketing homelessness that has been partly fuelled by its own welfare reforms.

A snapshot overnight count last autumn recorded 4,134 rough sleepers, a 134 per cent hike since the Conservatives took power, the National Audit Office (NAO) said.

Some 77,240 households - including 120,540 children - were in temporary accommodation in March, it added.

The ending of private sector tenancies has become the main cause of homelessness in England, rather than changes in personal circumstances such as relationship breakdowns, with a threefold increase in numbers since 2010/11, the NAO found.

Ms Neate added: "As this crisis continues to unfold, the work of our frontline services remains absolutely critical.

"We will do all we can to make sure no-one is left to fight homelessness on their own. But we cannot achieve this alone; we urgently need the public's support to be there for everyone who needs us right now."

The report, Far From Alone: Homelessness In Britain In 2017, estimates total numbers of homeless people using the latest available data from various sources including the Government, charities, and social services.

A spokeswoman for the Government Department of Communities and Local Government said: “We are determined to tackle all forms of homelessness, which includes making sure people in temporary accommodation are getting support to keep a roof over their heads.

“We’re investing £950 million by 2020 to support these efforts, and bringing in the Homelessness Reduction Act. This requires councils to provide early support to people at risk of being left without anywhere to go.

“In 2011 we gave councils the power to place families in decent and affordable private rented homes so they can move into settled accommodation more quickly. We have also recently announced a £2billion funding boost to build more social housing, including council homes.”

To support Shelter's appeal, visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70080 to donate £3.

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