Local authorities in England carried out measures to prevent or relieve homelessness in more than 220,000 cases in 2014/15 – an increase of a third in five years.
Accoridng to Inside Housing:
“Figures published by the Department for Communities and Local Government show the number of prevention or relief cases fell slightly from 228,400 in 2013/14 to 220,800 in 2014/15. However, the number of cases recorded last year has increased 33% from the 165,200 recorded in 2009/10.
A total of 205,100 cases were to help people at risk of homelessness keep a roof over their heads, while the remaining 15,700 cases were to assist homeless people in securing accommodation.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of homelessness charity Shelter, said: ‘After dealing with slashes to the welfare system and soaring housing costs, it comes as little surprise that so many people are being driven to the verge of homelessness.’ “