One child per London classroom is homeless, new analysis from a group of London councils revealed today.
London Councils, a collective representing London’s local government, has found that 90,000 London children – one in 21 – is homeless and in temporary accommodation.
The report, London’s Homelessness Emergency, has also warned of a budget ’emergency’ as London Boroughs spend £4 million a day on temporary accommodation for homeless people.
Councillor Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “The homelessness situation in the capital is nothing less than an emergency.
“London is the epicentre of a national crisis – we are grappling with the most severe housing and homelessness pressures in the country.”
London Councils estimates that 183,000 Londoners – over one in 50 – are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.
This is the highest recorded level of London Homelessness.
Boroughs also spent 68% more on temporary accommodation in 2023-24 than the previous year.
They are forecast to overspend on overall homelessness plans by £250m this year.
Williams said: “Without urgent action, homelessness pressures will break London boroughs’ budgets.”
Rough sleeping – people sleeping on the streets or with inadequate shelter – has also grown in the capital, increasing by 58% in the last decade.
The shortage of suitable accommodation has caused a 662% increase in families placed by London boroughs in B&Bs.
In the report, London Councils called on the government to double homelessness prevention grant funding.
The group also urged the government to keep and extend increases to local housing benefits to keep pace with rents.
Recently London Councils research showed that households on Local Housing Allowance could afford just 5% of London’s private rentals.
These warnings come under a week before Labour deliver its first budget in 14 years.
