How many households in England are homeless?
In January to March 2026, English councils did an initial assessment for 92,200 households that asked for help with homelessness, and found 83,850 were owed a duty to help.
Households that asked their council for help, in the quarter.
Households the council found homeless or threatened with homelessness, in the quarter.
By region
| Area | Area Name | Initial assessmentsTotal[note 2] | Assessed as owed a dutyOwed a prevention or relief dutyTotal |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENGLAND | 92,200 | 83,850 | 39,200 |
| London | 18,490 | 16,510 | 6,670 |
| North East | 5,380 | 5,000 | 2,240 |
| North West | 13,040 | 12,470 | 5,800 |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | 8,800 | 8,240 | 4,370 |
| East Midlands | 6,360 | 6,090 | 2,560 |
| West Midlands | 8,460 | 7,390 | 3,090 |
| East of England | 9,850 | 8,560 | 4,130 |
| London | 18,490 | 16,510 | 6,670 |
| South East | 13,690 | 11,960 | 6,410 |
| South West | 8,110 | 7,650 | 3,940 |
| Adur | 95 | 89 | 52 |
Statutory homelessness in England: January to March 2026. Source: Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Statutory homelessness in England.
Questions people ask
What does 'owed a duty' mean?
Under the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 councils in England must help households who are homeless or at risk within 56 days (the prevention duty) or who are already homeless (the relief duty).
Does this cover the rest of the UK?
No. Homelessness law and statistics are devolved: this is England only.
See also: Rents · House prices