Homelessness on the rise across Shropshire, official figures show
Homelessness is on the rise in Shropshire as figures hit an all-time-high across England.
New figures from The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have revealed that more households in Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin were estimated to be homeless at the start of this year (January to March 2023).
A total of 232 households in Shropshire were estimated to be homeless and owed a relief duty - where the local authority secures accommodation for a household - up from 203 the year before.
In Telford & Wrekin, 186 households were estimated to be homeless and were owed a relief duty, up from 148 the year before.
Leaders from the Shrewsbury Ark, a charity which provides tailored support and day centre facilities for the homeless and vulnerable, have said there is an increase in the demand for support.
Emily Bell, chair of the Shrewsbury Ark said: "We have definitely seen a rise in people needing services and people coming through the doors.
"We've also seen a rise in the demand for support from our partner organisations so where we are asking for more food say from the food hub, they say they haven't got as much to give because everyone needs more, that is definitely an issue.
"We are in a strange position because we moved to our new premises because we were preparing for things to scale up, but all of that has happened at the same time as the cost of living crisis and so it's hard to know what is causing what.
