Passage of bill ‘hugely positive’ as figures reveal continued scale of homelessness

Terrie Alafat CBE, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “The passage of the Homelessness Reduction Bill through its final stage in the House of Lords today is a hugely positive step forward as today’s homelessness statistics reveal the continued scale of the problem.

“It’s particularly alarming, but not surprising, to see the number of households in temporary accommodation increase by 10% compared to last year and 58% since 2010.

“Though the Homelessness Reduction Bill’s progress today is historic, the statistics are a reminder that the bill needs to be part of a robust homelessness strategy if we’re really going to tackle an issue which has steadily worsened.

“That will require significant support for local authorities to deliver, more truly affordable homes and the review of welfare policies which undermine the government’s ambition to create a country which works for everyone.”