Story perspectives

England’s Homeless Crisis: £2.8 Billion in Accommodation Costs

2/25/2026

Summary

Story summary

England faced record-high temporary accommodation costs totaling £2.8 billion last year, up 25%.
The rise stems from policy shifts, including privatising social housing and cuts to housing benefits.
Liverpool City Council cut hotel use from over 1,000 rooms to 277 after landlord negotiations.
Ed Miliband, British politician, proposed councils should negotiate on behalf of housing-benefit tenants.
England has 382,000 homeless people, underscoring the urgent need for affordable housing.

1 of 1

Story summary

England faced record-high temporary accommodation costs totaling £2.8 billion last year, up 25%.
The rise stems from policy shifts, including privatising social housing and cuts to housing benefits.
Liverpool City Council cut hotel use from over 1,000 rooms to 277 after landlord negotiations.
Ed Miliband, British politician, proposed councils should negotiate on behalf of housing-benefit tenants.
England has 382,000 homeless people, underscoring the urgent need for affordable housing.