COUNCILS are pouring up to 50 per cent of their core budgets into temporary housing as the homelessness crisis surges, research by Generation Rent revealed today.

The number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen by 89 per cent over the past decade, Local Government Association data shows. 

As a result, one in four councils are spending 5 per cent of their core budgets on temporary accommodation, according to a Generation Rent analysis of 249 councils. 

The figure rose to as high as 49.3 per cent in Hastings and 30.1 per cent in Crawley. 

In 2022/23, a total of 20 councils spent at least £1 in every £10 on households and families in temporary accommodation, while they remained in limbo in the homelessness system, waiting for long-term homes.

With the Renters Reform Bill shelved in the wake of the upcoming election, Generation Rent is calling on the next government to urgently push through the Bill to protect households from homelessness. 

The Bill promised to bring protections against Section 21 evictions, which allow landlords to kick out tenants with just two months’ notice, and better security for renters.

Before it was scrapped, campaigners accused it of being watered down with amendments in the Commons, turning it into a“landlords’ charter.”

Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent, said: “Where once people were able to find safe and affordable homes, we are now living in total insecurity, within a cruel and broken system.

“It is now a matter of urgency that the next government introduce these long-overdue reforms to make renting work for the millions of private renters and the local communities being saddled with spiralling temporary accommodation costs.”