Recent data shows a staggering rise in homelessness in Darlington, highlighting urgent needs for support and resources
Darlington: The latest figures are pretty shocking. They show that the need for help with homelessness has shot up by over 100% in some areas. This puts a lot of pressure on local services.
In 2023/24, people spent a whopping 9,616 nights in temporary housing. That’s a huge jump from just 1,486 nights back in 2019-20. And it’s not slowing down; the first half of 2024-25 already shows 8,004 nights, which could easily top 16,000 by the end of the year.
Households needing temporary accommodation have also risen significantly. In 2023-24, 485 households were placed in temporary housing, compared to just 174 before the pandemic. That’s a 179% increase, mainly because it’s tough to find permanent homes for everyone.
With so many people needing help, services are scrambling to keep up. They’re having to get creative, putting folks in hotels and B&Bs since the usual options are full. The goal is to make sure no one ends up on the streets.
On top of the pandemic pressures, the end of the ban on “no-fault” evictions in June 2021 has led to even more people seeking housing help. The council saw 1,357 requests for housing advice in 2023-24, up from 835 in 2019-20.
Funding for these services is also a big concern. Costs are rising, and the council is facing a £1.326 million shortfall in housing benefits for 2025/26. This is a major worry for their finances.
In response, the council rolled out a new strategy in November aimed at tackling homelessness in Darlington. They want to ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to live and get the right support when needed. They’re also hoping for national changes to help improve the situation.
Councillor Matthew Roche, who’s in charge of health and housing, emphasized how crucial it is to prevent homelessness. He believes this strategy will help tackle the challenges by working closely with local partners to create better outcomes for residents.
