Shelter’s new report reveals 10,760 people in the North West are homeless and living in temporary accommodation during the pandemic.

Rising homelessness is already a major problem in the region with the latest figures showing 356% more people are homeless and trapped in temporaryaccommodation than five years ago but Shelter arguesthe economic chaos caused by Covid-19 risks turbo-charging the crisis further. The charity’s analysis of government data shows the number of people in temporary accommodation in the North West jumped by270 (3%) in the first three months after the pandemic struck.

However, the number of people experiencing homelessness is undoubtedly higher, as many people will be undocumented by local councils because they are sleeping rough or sofa-surfing.

Shelter’s Homeless and Forgotten report examines the lives blighted by the housing emergency and lack of social homes, which is leaving thousands stuck in unstable temporary accommodation with nowhere else to go. Temporary accommodation provided by councils can range from a self-contained flat to an emergency B&B room with shared facilities. Across the North West,1,840 households (37%) are currently placed into emergency B&Bs and hostels, where poor conditions and gross overcrowding are rife.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said:“Almost 11,000 people are homeless and stuck in temporary accommodation in the North West. This should shame us all. With this deadly virus on the loose, 2020 has taught us the value of a safe home like never before. But too many are going  without, because of the chronic lack of social homes.

“Many people will spend Christmas in grim, dangerous places, cut off from loved ones and faced with a daily struggle to eat or keep clean. As the country continues to reel from the financial shockwaves caused by the pandemic, our services will do all they can to support those battling homelessness. This year has been unbelievably tough, but with the public’s generoussupport we will do our best to give hope and help to everyone who needs us.”

In response to its alarming findings, Shelter is urging the public to support its frontline advisers as they work tirelessly to help growing numbers of people to find, or keep hold of, a home.

The report also revealed which parts of the region have the most homeless people trapped in temporary accommodation. Manchester has the highest rate of people in temporary accommodation 1 in every 93(5,957 people in total). Other areas in the region with high numbers of people in temporary accommodation include Salford (592) and Liverpool (585).

To donate to Shelter’s urgent winter appeal and give hope to people facing homelessness, please visit www.shelter.org.uk/donate. Just £10 could answer a call to Shelter’s national emergency helpline, allowing atrained adviser to give expert advice and support.

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