Statutory homelessness in England: financial year 2023-24

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-financial-year-2023-24/statutory-homelessness-in-england-financial-year-2023-24

Initial assessments were made for 358,370 households in England in 2023-24, up 10.4% from the previous year. Of these, 324,990 households were assessed as owed a homelessness duty, due to being threatened with homelessness or already being homeless in 2023-24. This increase from 2022-23 is driven by the increase in both households assessed as being threatened with homelessness, as well as households assessed as already homeless at the time of application.

146,430 households were assessed as being threatened with homelessness and therefore owed a prevention duty in 2023-24. This is a 3.1% increase from 2022-23. The increase from 2022-23 has been influenced by a 4.6% increase, to 57,340 households, in those threatened with homelessness due to the end of an assured shorthold tenancy. Conversely, there was a 5.2% decrease in households owed a prevention duty due to family or friends no longer willing or able to accommodate.

178,560 households were assessed as homeless and therefore owed a relief duty in 2023-24. This is up 12.3% from 2022-23. Similar to increases in prevention duties, this also has been influenced by an 8.9% increase, to 22,160 households, in those threatened with homelessness due to the end of an assured short hold tenancy. There has also been a 4.8% increase in households owed a relief duty due to family or friends no longer willing or able to accommodate.

Other notable changes in 2023-24 compared to the previous year include:

Increase in households owed a prevention duty (up 113.9%) or a relief duty (up 251.2%) on being required to leave accommodation provided by the Home Office as asylum support. This makes up 3% of prevention duties owed and 8% of relief duties owed. This increase relates to action to clear the backlog in asylum decisions, with households becoming eligible for homelessness assistance if they are granted refugee status.

Increase in households owed a prevention duty (up 92.0%) or a relief duty (up 79.2%) due to rent arrears from an increase in rent, although this comprises less than 1% of households owed each type of duty.