Homelessness and rough sleeping

Homelessness in Cumberland has increased by 53% over the last four years; with a 16% increase in the number of statutory homeless duties owed in the last 12 months alone compared to 9.2% nationally.

Demand for emergency temporary accommodation due to homelessness has doubled in Cumberland in the past 12 months, compared to a 12% increase in England. Families with dependent children being accommodated in emergency temporary accommodation has also increased by 5% for the same period.

Unfortunately, this is not a trend that is likely to decrease without direct action to drive forward change.

Aligned to the national picture, the main reason for homelessness in Cumberland is due to family no longer able or willing to accommodate, with relationship breakdowns with friends or partners, loss of work and poor health (mental health) as secondary contributing factors. People owed a full homeless duty in Cumberland with recorded mental health needs increased by 22% over the review period.

These challenges often combine with a housing market that is not working for local vulnerable people, where there is an undersupply and lack of affordable options with limited security (particularly within the private rented sector {PRS}). The data review tells us that in the last 12 months, there has been a 26% increase in the number of applicants in Cumberland presenting as threatened with homelessness within 56 days due to the service of a valid section 21 notice within the PRS; 91% of all cases were no fault evictions resulting from landlords wishing to sell or re-let their properties and asking their tenants to leave as a result – this is 27% higher than the national average.

Applicants with dependent children has been the primary reason for priority need over the review period accounting for 39% of all main duty acceptances in 2023 to 2024.