Homelessness: April to June 2019

Main points (a)

Households threatened with homelessness (b)

2,391 households were threatened with homelessness within 56 days, which is lower than in the previous 5 quarters.

Homelessness was successfully prevented for at least 6 months in 67% of cases. The quarterly prevention rates have fluctuated within the 65% to 69% range since April 2017.

Homelessness households owed a duty to help secure accommodation (c)

Almost 3,000 households were homeless and owed a duty to help secure accommodation.

Of these, 40% were successfully helped to find accommodation. The quarterly success rates have fluctuated within the 39% to 43% range since April 2017.

Homelessness households that were unintentionally homeless and in priority need (d)

753 homeless households were unintentionally homeless and in priority need, the highest figure since the introduction of the legislation.

74% accepted an offer of settled suitable accommodation. The quarterly rates have fluctuated within the 74% to 84% range since April 2017.

Households in temporary accommodation 

2,229 households were in temporary accommodation on 31 June 2019. This is the highest figure since the introduction of the legislation, but only slightly higher than at 31 March 2019.  
The private rented sector continued to be the main form of temporary accommodation used (39%). 

282 households were in bed and breakfast accommodation, the second highest number since the introduction of the new legislation. Of these, 36 households were families with children.

Notes

(a) The data may be subject to quarterly fluctuations and seasonal factors such as holidays and weather. These statistics are not seasonally adjusted.

(b) Homelessness prevention is where a local authority takes positive action to provide housing assistance to someone who the authority considers is threatened with homelessness within 56 days.

(c) Following notification that an applicant is homeless, the local authority will be under a duty (Section 73) to take reasonable steps to help to secure accommodation.

(d) If the household is homeless, has a priority need and is unintentionally homeless, the local authority will be under a duty to secure suitable accommodation.

Additional information is available within the accompanying Quality report.