At least 167,000 people in London, including 82,000 children, are facing the festive season without a home, according to charity Shelter
Chief executive Polly Neate described the housing emergency as "out of control" and blamed it on the "chronic underinvestment in social houses".
She said: "Homelessness is on nobody’s Christmas list, but 167,000 people in London will spend this time of year in a tiny hostel room or freezing in a doorway.
“It is appalling that the Government has allowed thousands of families to be packed into damp and dirty B&B’s and hostel rooms, which are traumatising children and making people desperately ill."
The data released by Shelter showed that homelessness in London has risen rapidly this year, with the number of people sleeping rough increasing by 34 percent.
More than 165,000 people are living in temporary accommodation, most of them families.
Emma was made homeless in November with her two sons and placed in a temporary accommodation.
She said it's like living in "a prison cell".
"Recently the shower wasn't working for ten days and we had to use the cold water in the bathroom sink to wash or the communal bathroom downstairs, sharing with strangers. This is so upsetting. I feel I have let my children down even though this is not my fault," she said.
Government figures show that the number of children living in temporary accommodation has risen by 14 percent, a record high from last year. More than 82,000 of them are living in London.
🚨 1 in 85 children in England are homeless. Official government data shows that a record 139,000 children are living in temporary accommodation.
— Shelter (@Shelter) December 5, 2023
It’s shameful.
Donate to our urgent appeal as we face rising demand for our services: https://t.co/O9qeVUowKO pic.twitter.com/nIs9csDXMH
The charity also revealed Newham to have the highest number of rough sleepers among London boroughs, with 17,200 experiencing homelessness.
Westminster came next where 8,000 people are homeless, followed by Hackney with 7,900.
A spokesperson for Newham Council said they were "working incredibly hard" to help end rough sleeping and have launched a "comprehensive homelessness response programme".
Shelter said that its data is the most "comprehensive overview" but warned that the numbers are likely higher as some people that are "sofa-surfing" go undocumented.
The charity said that it's dealing with the "grim realities" of homelessness, helping families living in "grotty hostels, B&Bs and cramped bedsits".
A spokesperson for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "Everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
"That's why we are spending £2bn to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, including making £1bn available so councils can give financial support for people to find a new home and move out of temporary accommodation."
