'Alarming' number in region to be homeless this Christmas, charity warns

Families face an uncertain winter as more than 4,000 people in our region are currently homeless, including 1,460 children.

The figures have come from new research, carried out by charity Shelter.

It's warning the situation is getting worse, with the rising cost of living and the end of Covid protections such as the eviction ban playing a huge part.

The Chief Executive of Shelter says the figures were "shameful" and warned that "with Covid protections now gone, thousands more will be joining them".

Shelter's new report also reveals the areas across Yorkshire and the Humber where homelessness is most acute.

•  Wakefield is the area with the highest number of homeless people (478).

• 433 people are homeless in Rotherham.

• In Kingston upon Hull, a total of 410 people are without a home.

The charity has warned that recorded numbers are likely to be an underestimate, as some types of homelessness such as sofa surfing go undocumented.

It is also calling on the public to support its frontline workers who have been inundated with calls to its emergency helpline from people facing homelessness this winter.

The Government says tackling homelessness is an "absolute priority" and added it has committed more than £2 billion in funding over the next three years.

A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "On top of that, we're providing £375 million this year to prevent homelessness and have given councils in England £65 million to support people in rent arrears."