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Homelessness in Wales hits highest level since reduction laws introduced
Homelessness in Wales has reached its highest level since new legislation aimed at tackling the problem was introduced in 2015.
Official statistics released yesterday show that 2,997 households became homeless from October to December 2018. Councils successfully helped 43% of these find accommodation in the same period.
Another 2,649 households were identified as threatened with becoming homeless within 56 days – the second-highest level since the new laws were introduced after the previous quarter.
Two-thirds (67%) of these households were successfully prevented from becoming homeless.
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Meanwhile, numbers of homeless households in B&Bs increased 58% from the same period last year to 270.
Numbers of households in temporary accommodation in Wales hit 2,139 – the second-highest level to date.
The private rented sector was the most common form of temporary accommodation, accounting for 38% of households.
The Welsh government’s groundbreaking Housing Act (Wales) 2014 introduced new duties for councils to prevent people from becoming homeless.
Ministers in England introduced very similar measures from the start of April 2018 under the Homelessness Reduction Act.
Matt Dicks, director of the Chartered Institute of Housing Cymru, said: “Today’s statistics shed a worrying light on the nature of our homelessness challenge.
“The pressure on social housing supply means that in practice there is an ongoing reliance on the private rented sector and a growing trend in the use of bed and breakfast accommodation, particularly for families with children.
“None of us would desire to live in such an uncertain form of accommodation which ultimately leaves individuals and families in limbo as housing officers work tirelessly to identify a suitable long-term housing solution.”
He called on the Welsh government to provide support for private landlords working with councils to house homeless families and accelerate the roll-out of Housing First across the country.
A spokesperson for the Welsh government said: “Despite increasing demand, these figures show the highest levels recorded of people prevented from homelessness.
“Tackling homelessness and rough sleeping is a Welsh government priority, and we are investing £30 million over this year and next year.
“This investment will build on our acclaimed preventative approach set out in legislation which has prevented more than 21,400 households from becoming homeless.
“However, we recognise that the numbers of households seeking help is growing as a result of a range of factors, not least the impact of austerity and welfare reform.”
Update: at 16.44pm 22/03/19 a statement from the Welsh government was added to the story
