Not everyone will be looking forward to Christmas this year, spare a thought for the reported 11,840 households who are accepted as homeless across the Country, as reported by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG), this is an increase of 17% from the previous quarter.
For the third quarter in a row the numbers have risen, making it the first sustained increase since 2003. The figures also showed 49,680 homeless households in temporary accommodation. Shelter’s Chief Executive Campbell Robb said: ‘Already in Britain every two minutes someone faces the nightmare of losing their home, so it’s really worrying to see such a huge increase in homelessness.
‘We know from the people we see every day that just one single thing, like a bout of illness, rent increase or drop in income, is all that’s needed to push someone into spiral of debt and arrears that can lead to the loss of their home.
‘It’s vital that anyone struggling with their housing costs seeks independent advice as soon as possible.’ Shelter say that they are alarmed at recent government proposals to scale back homelessness legislation given that their figures signal a further possible increase in homelessness. Mr Robb continued: ‘The rise in homelessness, combined with government cuts and the threat of job losses on the horizon, mean that now is the very worst time to be reducing the rights of homeless people.’
Shelter have advice on coping with housing costs here http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/paying_for_a_home/advice_on_coping_with_housing_costs
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