Jeremy Corbyn and Thatcher discuss homelessness in 1990

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Local authorities in England spent £142million in 2019-20, compared with £26.7million in 2010-11. And the number of households has also soared from 2,310 to 10,510. The Local Government Association has called on ministers to fund more council house building to deal with the crisis. 

Housing spokesman David Renard said: “Sadly, these figures reflect the scale of the housing challenges that our country faces.

“Councils will only use bed and breakfasts as a last resort, but the severe lack of suitable housing means they have no choice. This is hugely disruptive to families with children, and the rising demand has come with soaring costs for councils.”

Mr Renard said that the Government has trusted councils to help protect the nation during the pandemic.

He now wants ministers to “continue the momentum” with local authorities to build the homes that are “desperately needed”. He said: “With the right funding and freedoms, councils can help government achieve its ambitions for our national recovery.

“Giving councils the powers to build council housing on the scale required would go a significant way towards reducing homelessness.”

He wants councils to be able to build 100,000 social homes for rent each year.

Previous analysis has found waiting lists could double as a result of the pandemic.

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