'Deepening crisis': rural councils see huge increase in homeless families

New figures from the County Councils Network, which represents 37 local authorities including North Yorkshire and the East Riding, found record numbers of families are being housed in bed and breakfasts, hostels and expensive ‘nightly-paid’ accommodation across rural areas.

Local authority leaders say that the homelessness crisis is no longer confined to just England’s major cities, with over 116,000 households assessed as homeless in countryside councils over the last year.

Consequently, record numbers of children are being placed in temporary accommodation, with these costs becoming one of the fastest-growing financial pressures facing rural town halls.

In March, this year there were a record 23,186 children in rural areas growing up in places such as bed and breakfasts and hostels, a 74 per cent rise on March 2020.

This is almost double the national increase and five times the rise seen in London, over that time period.

In rural parts of Yorkshire the rise has been even more dramatic.

In the East Riding, over that time period the number of children living in temporary accommodation almost tripled from 71 to 208.

Meanwhile, the overall number of households living in bed and breakfasts, hostels and other transient homes increased almost five-fold from 59 to 283.

The rise in North Yorkshire has been lower, but still above the rural average. The number of families and children living in temporary accommodation over this period rose by roughly 87 per cent.

Executive member for housing Coun Simon Myers, said: “Preventing homelessness and rough sleeping remains a major challenge nationally.

“In North Yorkshire, demand for support is continuing to grow against a backdrop of rising housing costs, a shortage of affordable homes and increasingly complex needs among our most vulnerable residents.

“This has been compounded by a range of pressures in the private rented sector, including fewer available properties, rising rents, and legislative changes affecting both landlords and tenants. In addition, the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 has seen a significant increase in families seeking assistance.

“Our priority is always to help people remain in their homes and prevent homelessness before it happens.”

Nick Atkin, chief executive of Yorkshire Housing, added: "Temporary accommodation is an important safety net, but the long-term solution is making sure more people can access a genuinely affordable home.”

While new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has pledged to end rough sleeping, the CCN says that it is vital that the growing rural homelessness crisis is addressed by the Government.

Rural councils are calling on ministers to ensure homelessness and temporary accommodation funding reflects their specific challenges.

Coun Andrew Husband, Housing and Planning spokesperson for the CCN, said: “Homelessness is no longer a big city issue – it is now a deepening crisis in rural areas. I see it first hand in my own large rural county of Durham.

Across England's counties record numbers of families are now in temporary accommodation.

“County and rural unitary councils work tirelessly to support residents at risk of homelessness, but demand is rising far faster than funding and is placing enormous pressure on local budgets.

“If the government is serious about ending homelessness the thousands of people housed in temporary accommodation, they must recognise this is no longer just a city problem. Rural England needs the same attention, investment and, ultimately, a long-term solution.”

An Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: “Rural areas will be among areas to benefit from billions of pounds going to councils, housing associations and other providers right across the country, helping to build thousands of social and affordable homes.

“Alongside more than £4bn we’ve provided to prevent and tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, our plan to get councils building again will help people get the safe and secure homes they deserve.”