More than 25,000 single-parent families in England lost their private tenancies in the past year, according to new government data obtained by the charity Shelter. The figures, released under a Freedom of Information request, show that 25,340 families with children were threatened with homelessness after their private rental agreements ended, a 27% increase on the previous year.
Rising Rents and Frozen Benefits Blamed
Shelter said the crisis is being driven by a perfect storm of rising rents and frozen housing benefit rates. The Local Housing Allowance, which determines the maximum benefit for private renters, has been frozen since 2020, while average rents have surged by 18% over the same period. This means many families face a shortfall between their benefit and actual rent, forcing them into arrears and eviction.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Every day we hear from desperate single parents who are being pushed out of their homes because the housing benefit they receive no longer covers the rent. It is a national scandal that 25,000 families have been made homeless or threatened with homelessness in just one year.”
Regional Disparities Exposed
The data also reveals stark regional variations. In London, nearly 8,000 single-parent families lost their tenancies, the highest of any region. The South East saw 4,500 such cases, while the North West recorded 2,800. Rural areas were not immune, with Devon and Cornwall reporting a 40% rise in cases compared to the previous year.
Single mothers are disproportionately affected, making up 90% of single-parent families in the rental sector. Many are already on low incomes and have little savings to fall back on when faced with a rent increase or notice to quit.
Government Response and Criticism
The Department for Work and Pensions said it had spent £28 billion on housing benefit in the last year, but acknowledged the pressures on the private rental market. A spokesperson said: “We are committed to supporting families with their housing costs and have increased the Local Housing Allowance by nearly £600 per year on average since 2020. However, we are also taking action to increase the supply of affordable homes.”
Critics argue that the government has failed to build enough social housing, with only 6,300 new council homes completed in England last year. Shelter is calling for an end to the freeze on Local Housing Allowance and a major investment in social housing to prevent more families from becoming homeless.
Impact on Children's Education and Health
The upheaval of losing a home has severe consequences for children. Research from the University of Bristol shows that children who experience homelessness are twice as likely to miss school and suffer from poor mental health. One mother from Manchester, who wished to remain anonymous, told Shelter: “My son had to change schools three times in one year. He became withdrawn and stopped eating properly. It’s not just about a roof over your head; it’s about your whole life being turned upside down.”
With no sign of rents falling or benefits increasing, the number of single-parent families losing their homes is expected to rise further. Shelter has launched a campaign urging the government to take immediate action to prevent a deepening of the crisis.
