One in 200 people in Britain are now homeless – and the numbers keep on rising Analysis by Shelter shows there are now at least 320,000 homeless people living in Britain, and around 36 people lose their homes every day

There are now at least 320,000 homeless people living in Britain, according to analysis from housing charity Shelter.

That’s a rise of 13,000 from 2017, equivalent to four per cent, or 36 new people becoming homeless every day.

It means one in every 200 people in Britain are now homeless, and as many as one in 52 in London.

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The capital has the highest rate of homelessness, but it’s growing quickly in areas like Yorkshire, the Midlands and the North West.

These numbers are already shocking, but the true figure is likely to be higher, Shelter says. Its research only taken into account people who are in contact with hostels or local authorities.

Spiralling rents, welfare cuts and lack of social housing all accountable

The charity reached the figure 320,000 by combining official figures for the number of people sleeping rough and living in temporary accommodation, and then reducing it to account for possible double-counting.

Shelter chief executive Polly Neate said: “These new figures show that homelessness is having a devastating impact on the lives of people right across the country.

“Due to the perfect storm of spiralling rents, welfare cuts and a total lack of social housing, record numbers of people are sleeping out on the streets or stuck in the cramped confines of a hostel room.

“We desperately need action now to change tomorrow for the hundreds of thousands whose lives will be blighted by homelessness this winter.”

One in 52 are homeless in London

Newham in east London is the worst place in the country for homelessness. One in every 24 people in the borough lives in an insecure situation.

More than half of Britain’s total homeless population is living in London – around 170,000. The most rough sleepers are staying in Westminster and Camden.

There are more than 5,000 homeless people living in Kensington and Chelsea, the UK’s richest borough. That’s one homeless person for every 29 residents.

But homelessness is actually growing at the fastest rate outside the capital. There have been increases of 12 per cent in the West Midlands and Yorkshire and Humberside, and an 11 per cent rise in the North West.

The South West and North East are the only regions where homelessness has fallen.

Homeless is rising steadily almost nationwide

Since Shelter started doing this analysis in 2016, it estimates around 25,000 more people have become homeless.

The Government has committed to spending £1.2bn to tackle homelessness.

Housing and communities secretary James Brokenshire said: “No one should be left without a roof over their head, which is why we are determined to end rough sleeping and respond to the causes of homelessness.

“Our rough-sleeping strategy, support for councils and those working on the frontline are helping to get people off the street and into accommodation as we enter the colder winter months. But we know that there is more that we need to do and we’re committed to working with Shelter and others to make a positive difference.”