Big Rise In Homelessness Across Harborough
Written by HFM News on 20th March 2024
Homelessness across Harborough has more than tripled in the past five years.
New figures show 182 households were assessed as homeless and provided temporary accommodation by Harborough District last year, compared with 49 in 2018/19.
The number of people who sought help because of concerns they would become homeless also more than doubled to 640.
There has been a 50% rise in those needing somewhere to live because they were fleeing domestic violence and the ending of private tenancies also made up a large number of those needing support.
The council’s spending on providing temporary accommodation more than doubled to over £280,000 in 2022/23 and in the current financial year has already reached over £286,000.
A new strategy for housing and the prevention of homelessness has been drawn-up by the council and includes a desire to provide more temporary accommodation within Harborough, as currently around 70% of placements are out of the area.
Cllr Jim Knight is Cabinet Lead for well-being and told HFM the lack of affordable accommodation has also left some people having to turn to the council for help:
