Single-parent families almost four times more likely to be homeless than families with two parents

Single-parent families are almost four times as likely to experience homelessness than those with two parents, Shelter has warned, as more adults and children face losing their home.

The housing charity’s analysis of government statistics found 124,210 families in England contacted councils for support in 2024-25 after being threatened with homelessness or losing their home. That’s equivalent to one in every 57 families across the country.

But a higher proportion of single-parent families are grappling with homelessness. The figures show 70,630 of the total households were led by a single parent, making up one in every 24 single-parent families across England.

Shelter found a 10% increase in families contacting local authorities for support over the last five years.

Homelessness has been rising in recent years, particularly the number of families housed in temporary accommodation. The charity has launched a new TV advert with HSBC UK to highlight the grim conditions thousands of families are living in.

The ad, set to a cover version Madness’ Our House, follows one family’s story as they navigate life in temporary accommodation.

“It’s utterly disgraceful that across the country, more and more families are being pushed to the brink of homelessness,” said Nadeem Khan, Shelter’s emergency helpline manager.

“Soaring rents, low incomes, and a chronic shortage of social homes mean that even parents who work tirelessly to put food on the table are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. 

“Every day, we hear from people living with the constant fear that they could lose their home the moment an eviction notice drops through their letterbox. Many are skipping meals just to cover rent, cutting back on essentials, and making impossible choices simply to stay afloat.”

That’s the experience facing Angela Carruthers, who has been homeless for two years and is currently living in temporary accommodation in Birmingham.  

Carruthers and her children have been moved three times since losing their home of 12 years. When the family moved into their current accommodation – late at night after a long shift at work – there was no electricity, and the boiler was broken. They spent five days without heating, hot water or power before repairs were finally carried out. 

Carruthers contacted Shelter after being threatened with eviction when she couldn’t keep up with the housing costs in her temporary accommodation. Support from one of the charity’s housing advisers helped Carruthers and her kids stay in their current home. 

“We were in our home for over 12 years, and it was perfect. The kids loved it, their school and my work was down the road, everything just worked. Then the landlord sold up and we were evicted. I couldn’t get a viewing anywhere – the private rents were impossible,” said Carruthers.

“That’s when we ended up in temporary accommodation. It was freezing; no boiler, no heating, no hot water – we were washing with kettle water out of a bowl. It felt inhumane. I’m working full-time but still can’t cover the rent. I’ve had to borrow money just to feed my kids. We should be out living life, but we can’t.

“When I got an email saying we were being evicted again, I was at breaking point. I didn’t know how I could keep going. When I spoke to Shelter, they were the first people who really listened. They helped me stay in this property – just knowing someone was there took some of the pressure off.” 

Shelter found single-parent families were disproportionately affected across all areas of England but the risk facing families varied in different parts of the country.

London and the North East, which saw 24% and 31% rises in homelessness among single-parent families over the last five years, were singled out as being particularly badly affected. 

The research will be food for thought for the government as parliament returns.

Labour is set to lay out its cross-governmental long-term strategy to tackle homelessness in the weeks ahead and has pledged to spend £1bn to “turn the tide” on homelessness and rough sleeping.

But the government currently doesn’t have a homelessness minister in place to lead its efforts after Rushanara Ali quit her post last month over a rent hike scandal.

Shelter’s new campaign aims to draw attention to the issue as numbers continue to spiral out of control.

Natalie Gregoire-Skeete, HSBC UK’s head of societal purpose and sustainability, said: “With over 124,000 families in England at risk of homelessness, the ‘Our House’ campaign paints the stark reality faced by far too many families in the UK.”

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