Number of West Midlands families living in temporary accommodation rises

Figures showed that between April 1 and June 30 this year, the West Midlands has 8,820 households living in temporary accommodation.

This represents a nine per cent increase from 8,120 at the same time period in 2024 and a slight rise from the 8,780 recorded in the previous quarter (January to March 2025).

The data also showed 16,580 children were living in temporary accommodation at the end of the quarter compared with 14,730 during the same period last year – a 13 per cent rise.

This means the region is third highest after London (97,140) and the South East (19,280).

Of the 8,820 households, 880 of them were placed in other local authorities, while the West Midlands received 180 from outside the region.

Other statistics showed the were 7,460 classed as homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, which represents a seven per cent decrease from the 7,980 recorded in the same period last year and 16 per cent lower than 8,880 for the last quarter.

The statutory homelessness data is collected by all councils across England and reported to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) who then publish on a quarterly and annual basis.

West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has set a target to build 2,000 social homes a year by 2028, as part of his ‘Homes for Everyone priority’.

Earlier this month, the Government announced the region would be backed by £1.7 billion funding to enable the construction of at least 10,000 homes over the next decade from April next year.

Following that announcement, Mr Parker said: “For too long there’s been chronic underinvestment in social and affordable housing.

“That’s blighted thousands of West Midlands families who have been left struggling to pay expensive private sector rents or stuck in temporary accommodation that can often be poor quality.

“Helping these families into safe, warm homes that are genuinely affordable is the cornerstone of my Homes for Everyone priority.”