The number of households living in temporary accommodation in England has reached a record high, with new government figures highlighting continued pressure on councils and homelessness services.
A total of 135,580 households were in temporary accommodation between January and March 2026, according to the latest statutory homelessness statistics.
READ MORE: Second supported living scheme opens in Weymouth for young adults
The figure has increased compared with the same period last year.
The number of children living in temporary accommodation has also risen to 177,530, while households with children accounted for more than 63.8% of all households in temporary accommodation.
Homelessness prevention and relief duties diverge
The figures show that the number of households threatened with homelessness and owed a prevention duty increased by 1.8% year-on-year.
However, the number of households owed a relief duty after being assessed as homeless fell by 5.3%.
The government has continued efforts to reduce the use of B&B accommodation for families with children beyond the statutory six-week limit. B&B use has fallen quarter-on-quarter since June 2024.
READ MORE: Karbon Foundation money advice service secures £60m for households
The latest figures follow the government’s response in June to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee’s report into housing conditions in temporary accommodation.
The government committed to providing an update in the autumn on measures to improve data collection on the quality and condition of temporary accommodation.
It also said it would review reported falls in B&B use, as well as the placement of families with children alongside single male adults. A further review will consider extending the six-week limit to accommodation that does not meet the Decent Homes Standard by 2035.
Housing providers call for action on homelessness
The latest figures have prompted renewed calls for greater investment in homelessness services and supported housing.
Stephanie Morphew, policy lead on homelessness at CIH, said: “Since the last statistical release, Andy Burnham has become Prime Minister and placed homelessness at the centre of his mission.
“Having previously described the number of children in the UK living in temporary accommodation as a ‘national shame’, we look forward to hearing from the government what steps they will take to address today’s record high of households living in temporary accommodation.”
Lee Buss-Blair, Director of Operations at Riverside, said: “These latest figures are a stark reminder of the depth and breadth of the homelessness emergency across England.
“There are 177,530 homeless children living in temporary accommodation (TA), more than the entire populations of North Lincolnshire (171,336) and Kingston Upon Thames (172,692).
“With councils spending over £10bn on TA over the past five years and growing support needs of people affected by homelessness, it is deeply worrying that half of supported housing providers (56%) have said they will have to close or decommission services due to funding cuts.”
“It is crucial that the Prime Minister and Chancellor agree a new settlement for homelessness services and supported housing as part of the Treasury’s review to help bring hope to thousands of people and their families who are affected by homelessness.”
Social rented homes highlighted as long-term solution
The response also highlighted the role of social housing supply in tackling homelessness, with increased delivery of social rented homes identified as a long-term measure to provide households with more secure and affordable tenancies.
In the short term, restoring Local Housing Allowance rates to cover at least the bottom 30% of private rents in each area was identified as a measure that could help households facing homelessness.
With homelessness remaining a key government priority, the Autumn Budget is expected to provide an opportunity for ministers to set out further measures addressing temporary accommodation, supported housing and the wider supply of affordable homes.
