The number of children living in temporary accommodation has hit a new record high putting further pressure on the government to take action.

According to the latest official figures, 169,000 children and 131,000 households were in temporary accommodation – a situation a homelessness charity has described as “terrifying”.

Rick Henderson, chief executive at Homeless Link, said: “It is terrifying to see ever higher numbers of people pushed into homelessness, and families condemned to live in unsuitable temporary accommodation, with no end in sight.

“The system is simply firefighting, and at colossal public cost. Large scale changes are needed to break this vicious cycle, and we urge the government to use its forthcoming homelessness strategy to achieve this.

“Vitally, it must shift the focus to prevention, establishing cross-government responsibility to ensure that people receive early support to remain in their homes. But just as importantly, it must provide the resources needed to secure over-stretched and under-funded homelessness and supported housing services, enabling them to continue to provide life-saving support for people in crisis right now.”

The latest figures show:

• On 31 March 2025, 131,140 households were in temporary accommodation. This is the highest number on record and an increase of 12% from 31 March 2024. This includes 169,050 children, a 12% increase since 31 March 2024
• In January to March 2025, 83,450 households were assessed as owed a duty to prevent or relieve homelessness, a 6% decrease from the same period last year, but up 7% from the previous quarter
• 37,610 households were assessed as being threatened with homelessness and therefore owed a prevention duty which is down 4% since the peak in the same quarter last year, but up 8% from the previous quarter
• This includes 6,640 households threatened with homelessness due to service of a Section 21 notice to end an Assured Shorthold Tenancy – 2% less than in the same quarter last year, but a 13% increase on the previous quarter
• 45,840 households were accepted as already homeless and owed a relief duty, down 7% from the same period last year, but up 5% since last quarter.

Commenting on the figures, Joseph Elliott, Lead Analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said:  “[These] new official statistics reveal a worsening housing crisis across England, with the highest number of children on record living in temporary accommodation. This is more than double the number of children compared to when Labour were last in office.

“Tackling this unacceptable trend must be a core priority for the Labour Government. The forthcoming housing, homelessness and child poverty strategies must work together to tackle the root causes of the housing crisis. This means addressing both the unaffordability and insecurity that drive homelessness.

“Positive steps have already been taken, including the Renters’ Rights Bill – which will protect renters from eviction – as well as additional funding for social housing.

“Ending the tragedy of children living in hotels and B&Bs will require more decisive action to make private renting affordable. Ending no-fault evictions is only part of the story – escalating rents and frozen housing benefits are locking families out of homes altogether.”