At least 130,000 households made homeless in pandemic

Data has suggested that a minimum of 130,000 households in England were made homeless during the newbie of the pandemic, regardless of the government’s ban on evictions.

Sourced by the Observer, the figures show that even while the eviction ban was at place, households appeared to be forced from their homes. With the ban now over, fears are rising that the surge of evictions may be imminent.

Analysis of published government homelessness statistics and figures collected underneath the Freedom of knowledge Act from around 70 per cent of local authorities in England reveal that 132,362 households were assessed by councils to be owed the ‘relief duty’, in which a household is deemed to be homeless. The number of homeless households rose slightly in 2021-21 compared with the year before.

Overall, councils in England were approached 274,000 times for homelessness assistance during 2021-21, with around 106,000 owed the ‘prevention duty’ because they were vulnerable to homelessness although not yet legally homeless.

A government spokesperson said the figures were ‘entirely speculative’, and said: “We've taken unprecedented action to protect renters and support those vulnerable to homelessness and rough sleeping throughout the pandemic with the ongoing Everyone In scheme supporting around 37,000 vulnerable people. We’re providing over £750 million this season alone to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.”