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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/23/shelter-warns-of-leap-in-working-homeless-as-families-struggle
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| Shelter warns of leap in working homeless as families struggle | Shelter warns of leap in working homeless as families struggle |
| (25 days later) | |
| More than half of families housed in temporary accommodation after being accepted as homeless by their local council are in work, according to the housing charity Shelter. | More than half of families housed in temporary accommodation after being accepted as homeless by their local council are in work, according to the housing charity Shelter. |
| The number of working homeless has nearly doubled since Shelter last looked at the figures in 2013. There are now about 33,000 “working homeless” – or 55% of all households in temporary accommodation – compared with 19,000 in 2013, it estimates. | The number of working homeless has nearly doubled since Shelter last looked at the figures in 2013. There are now about 33,000 “working homeless” – or 55% of all households in temporary accommodation – compared with 19,000 in 2013, it estimates. |
| The charity blamed the 73% increase on high private-sector rents, the ongoing freeze in housing benefit, unstable tenancies and the shortage of social housing. | The charity blamed the 73% increase on high private-sector rents, the ongoing freeze in housing benefit, unstable tenancies and the shortage of social housing. |
| Child homelessness in England at highest level since 2007 | Child homelessness in England at highest level since 2007 |
| Shelter’s chief executive, Polly Neate, said: “It’s disgraceful that even when families are working every hour they can, they’re still forced to live through the grim reality of homelessness.” | Shelter’s chief executive, Polly Neate, said: “It’s disgraceful that even when families are working every hour they can, they’re still forced to live through the grim reality of homelessness.” |
| Working households were typically turning to their council for help after losing a tenancy and finding themselves priced out of their local area by soaring rents. | Working households were typically turning to their council for help after losing a tenancy and finding themselves priced out of their local area by soaring rents. |
| The loss of a private-sector tenancy is the biggest single cause of homelessness in England, according to Shelter, accounting for more than a quarter of all homelessness acceptances. | The loss of a private-sector tenancy is the biggest single cause of homelessness in England, according to Shelter, accounting for more than a quarter of all homelessness acceptances. |
| The shortage of suitable affordable homes meant homeless households were often placed in cheap hotels, hostels, or large houses with a family in each bedroom, Shelter said. | The shortage of suitable affordable homes meant homeless households were often placed in cheap hotels, hostels, or large houses with a family in each bedroom, Shelter said. |
| It cited the case of Mary Smith, 47, who lives in temporary accommodation in Watford with her three sons, but works full-time in a shoe shop. | It cited the case of Mary Smith, 47, who lives in temporary accommodation in Watford with her three sons, but works full-time in a shoe shop. |
| She said they became homeless after being evicted by their landlord and could not afford to rent privately. “I nearly lost my job when I first became homeless because the transport links from my hostel were so bad. | She said they became homeless after being evicted by their landlord and could not afford to rent privately. “I nearly lost my job when I first became homeless because the transport links from my hostel were so bad. |
| “We’ve lived in three different temporary places in two years, and it’s been really tough on the children. We don’t want a palace, we just want a place that we can call home.” | “We’ve lived in three different temporary places in two years, and it’s been really tough on the children. We don’t want a palace, we just want a place that we can call home.” |
| The phenomenon of working families – including nurses, taxi drivers, council workers and hospitality staff – finding themselves homeless was highlighted by the local government ombudsman last year. | The phenomenon of working families – including nurses, taxi drivers, council workers and hospitality staff – finding themselves homeless was highlighted by the local government ombudsman last year. |
| Councils seem to house homeless families then forget them. Shouldn't they be doing more? | Councils seem to house homeless families then forget them. Shouldn't they be doing more? |
| Michael King said the common perception that homelessness was about people with chaotic lives who slept rough no longer held true: “Increasingly, [homeless people] are normal families who would not have expected to be in this situation.” | Michael King said the common perception that homelessness was about people with chaotic lives who slept rough no longer held true: “Increasingly, [homeless people] are normal families who would not have expected to be in this situation.” |
| The highest proportion of homeless working households in temporary housing was in London (60%); followed by the east of England (44%); and the south-east (44%). The lowest was Yorkshire and the Humber (9%). The north-east is the only region where the proportion of working homeless has decreased since 2013. | The highest proportion of homeless working households in temporary housing was in London (60%); followed by the east of England (44%); and the south-east (44%). The lowest was Yorkshire and the Humber (9%). The north-east is the only region where the proportion of working homeless has decreased since 2013. |
| More than 1m families waiting for social housing in England | More than 1m families waiting for social housing in England |
| The biggest increases in homeless working families between 2013 and 2017 were seen in the east Midlands (167%); the north-west (89%); and the West Midlands (46%), reflecting the growth of the housing crisis beyond traditional high-rent areas such as London. | The biggest increases in homeless working families between 2013 and 2017 were seen in the east Midlands (167%); the north-west (89%); and the West Midlands (46%), reflecting the growth of the housing crisis beyond traditional high-rent areas such as London. |
| Since 2010, the overall number of homeless people in temporary accommodation in England has grown by 61%. Council spending on this form of housing reached £845m in 2016. Last year a cross-party group of MPs said homelessness in England was a “national crisis”. | Since 2010, the overall number of homeless people in temporary accommodation in England has grown by 61%. Council spending on this form of housing reached £845m in 2016. Last year a cross-party group of MPs said homelessness in England was a “national crisis”. |
| Shelter used freedom of information requests to analyse official government data on temporary housing, benefits and employment as well as conducting a tenant survey. | Shelter used freedom of information requests to analyse official government data on temporary housing, benefits and employment as well as conducting a tenant survey. |
| England: escalation in placement of homeless families in temporary housing | England: escalation in placement of homeless families in temporary housing |
| A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live and we are providing more than £1.2bn so all those left homeless get the support they need. | A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live and we are providing more than £1.2bn so all those left homeless get the support they need. |
| “Councils have a duty to provide suitable temporary accommodation to those who need it, and families with children get priority. So families can get a permanent home, we are investing £9bn in affordable properties, including £2bn for social rent housing.” | “Councils have a duty to provide suitable temporary accommodation to those who need it, and families with children get priority. So families can get a permanent home, we are investing £9bn in affordable properties, including £2bn for social rent housing.” |
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