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Households threatened with homelessness in Wales increases by 18%
The number of households in Wales that local authorities have assessed as facing the threat of homelessness has risen by 18%, government figures have revealed.
In 2018/19, 10,737 households faced the prospect of homelessness, the highest number since the Housing (Wales) Act was introduced in 2015.
Under this legislation households can approach their local authority if they are under threat of becoming homeless within 56 days. This could be because they face eviction or are being thrown out by family members.
Figures in March revealed that homelessness in Wales had reached its highest level since new legislation aimed at tackling the problem was introduced in 2015.
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Over the past year, 11,715 households in Wales were assessed as being homeless, up 4% from 11,227 in 2017/18.
Of these households, 2,631 were assessed as being in priority need, up 18% from 2,229 in the year previous.
Earlier this month, Julie James, Welsh housing and local government minister, introduced a new Homelessness Action Group tasked with reducing homelessness throughout the country.
Households are generally considered to be in priority need if they are responsible for dependent children or if they are vulnerable for a variety of reasons, including being victims of domestic abuse.
At the end of 2018/19, the number of households living in temporary accommodation was 2,226, up 8% from the same period in 2017/18 when 2,052 homes were in temporary accommodation.
