More than 50,000 people could face homelessness by 2030 as think tanks call for urgent housing reforms.
Homelessness in England could surge by a quarter by the end of the decade if the government fails to act, according to new analysis by IPPR North and IPPR.
The think tanks estimate the increase would leave an additional 50,000 people without a home or at risk of rough sleeping, as rising living costs and unaffordable rents continue to put pressure on households.
In a new report, the organisations are calling for a national programme to provide shelter and support, based on the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme introduced in Greater Manchester.
First introduced by Mayor Andy Burnham in 2018, the initiative provides emergency accommodation to anyone sleeping rough or at risk of doing so.
The report also urges ministers to help councils bring long-term empty homes back into use, increasing housing supply while reducing dependence on costly temporary accommodation.
Researchers said councils are already squeezed, spending billions on temporary housing including hostels and bed and breakfasts. Instead, they’re calling for a housing-led approach, where people are moved into more permanent homes.
Separate data from Shelter shows English councils spent a record £2.8bn on temporary accommodation in 2024/25, with costs rising by 25% from the previous year.
In the report, researchers looked at three regions in England where housing-led approaches have been announced including, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Oxfordshire County Council.
They found several barriers to implementing the strategy – most notably, a lack of social housing supply.
The findings come amid renewed debate over homelessness after Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham called for a ‘national housing first philosophy’.
Dr Maya Singer Hobbs, author and senior research fellow at IPPR, said: ‘People going through what might be the toughest time of their lives need stability and support, and that starts by having a place to call home.
‘Housing-led approaches are about making sure that people can get the support they need, while also having a permanent roof over their heads and certainty over where they will live.’
‘We know these approaches work,’ she continued. ‘We just need government to help support councils and mayors to put them into practise.’
A story from the frontline
Pixie (not her real name), 49, from Oxfordshire was supported by Crisis into settled accommodation provided by a housing association.
‘When I became homeless, I was having to sofa surf with my dog,’ she said. ‘I also stayed in a tent for two weeks. Then, I was placed in temporary accommodation which wasn’t suitable.
‘There was one B&B which I will never forget as it had no cooking facilities, not even a fridge. I also had to share the bathroom with men which made me feel unsafe and exacerbated my anxiety. When you’re living in temporary accommodation you sleep with one eye open, especially as a single female and as someone who has gone through domestic abuse.’
While her experience can be described as nothing short of distressing, Pixie explains she’s now settled into a home which has ‘really improved’ her confidence.
She said: ‘Having somewhere stable to live and support from a therapist to help me understand some of the issues I’ve struggled with, I feel like I’ve been able to find out who I really am instead of having to change myself to suit others.’
Image: Jon Tyson/UnSplash
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