Latest figures published by The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 29th February have revealed the worsening of the homelessness crisis in England.
The rough sleeping snapshot, which counts the number of people rough sleeping on a given night in Autumn 2023, has risen by 27%. Since a peak in 2017, the figures had looked to be on a downward trend, however these latest statistics now represent and increase for two years running.
The numbers of households in temporary accommodation has continued to grow with a staggering 109,000 households in temporary accommodation at the end of September 2023, including more than 142,490 children.
The increasing demand for support is pushing many councils to breaking point, with a further 87,510 reported to have approached their local council for support. 42,690 of these were found to be already homeless while 35,760 were found to be at risk of becoming homelessness within the next 8 weeks.
The North-West has the highest number of rough sleepers, experiencing a 49% increase on the previous year. In Greater Manchester the annual rough sleeping snapshot count increased to 149 people, despite falls in Trafford, Manchester, and Oldham.
In Rochdale the snapshot shows a rise of 20% in rough sleeping on a single night, and in Bury the figures show a concerning, 200% rise.
At the same time, temporary accommodation numbers have risen each quarter over the last 12 months for all boroughs of the city region in which data is available. The number of households at risk of imminent homelessness or already homeless, across Greater Manchester, sits at 6,046.
Against the backdrop of these figures, the work of Petrus and other homeless charities has never been more necessary. Meeting the demand for support is challenging, especially as much of our work replies on donations and fundraising.
Please donate to help us support some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from our hub in Rochdale.
£5 could provide a hot breakfast for someone in need every day for a week
£10 could provide a hot shower, with toiletries, laundry facilities and clean underwear
£20 could provide a mobile phone to maintain contact with support services and family members
£50 could provide all-weather clothing for two people to join nature-based wellbeing activities
To make a donation or set up a monthly direct debit, please click here.