Number of people homeless for Christmas this year could fill Wembley Stadium almost four times

The research by housing charity Shelter found the estimated figure of more than 350,000 people – enough to fill Wembley stadium almost four times – includes 161,495 children

At least 354,000 people, enough to fill Wembley Stadium almost four times, are likely to be homeless this Christmas, a charity today warns.

Shelter’s research found the estimated figure includes 161,495 children. The overall number in England marks a 14% year-on-year jump — with the charity blaming a series of factors such as record private rents, rising evictions and lack of affordable social housing.

At the end of June this year, Shelter estimates 322,910 people were homeless and in temporary accommodation arranged by the council. The analysis also includes 3,898 people sleeping on the streets on any given night. And the total features a further estimated 16,648 single homeless people living in hostels.

Shelter’s CEO Polly Neate said: “As the country prepares to wind down and celebrate the festive season in our homes, it’s unimaginable that 354,000 will spend this winter homeless - many of them forced to shiver on the wet streets or in a mouldy hostel room with their entire family.

“Across England, extortionate private rents combined with a dire lack of genuinely affordable social homes is trapping more and more people in homelessness. Parents are spending sleepless nights worrying about their children growing up in cramped and often damaging temporary accommodation, as weeks and months turn into years without somewhere secure for them to call home.”

Other homeless categories in the total include 3556 living in accommodation provided by social services. The data also features the estimated number of people homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by them or “homeless at home” at the end of June – 7004 in total. The latter means they are legally homeless as it is not reasonable for them to continue occupying their residence.

A mum told of the stress she has suffered after being evicted. Sally, 43, now in temporary accommodation in Dorset with her 14-year-old daughter, was made homeless earlier this year. After spending eight hours on the street, the family were placed in a Travelodge. With Shelter’s assistance, they were moved into a different hotel and are now in a one-bed flat.

Sally said: “I’ve been through a lot in life with the loss of my sister and husband, but I have never experienced as much stress as I have this year being evicted and becoming homeless. I’ve always paid my rent on time but was still locked out of my home on the day the bailiffs came. I had to wait on the street for the whole day before me and my daughter were put in a hotel room by the council."

She added: “My daughter is autistic and the two most important things for her are routine and stability. These have been impossible to maintain while we’ve been homeless, which has been incredibly difficult for her, and she has run away countless times. Our current accommodation is unsuitable for my health needs, as I need a bath to manage the pain.

"We have a neighbour who shouts, bangs the doors and swears throughout the night, and the screams are scaring my daughter. The 24-hour laundry room that everyone in the block uses is behind our thin bedroom wall, so the noise of the machines keeps us awake.

“My daughter keeps telling me she can’t live in these conditions. We've been messed about for months and there’s nothing I can do about it. It makes me feel like our lives are worthless. I’m just going to have to put this year behind me and hope for a better 2025.”

To donate to Shelter’s appeal, please visit: shelter.org.uk/WinterAppeal