Rising private rents are being blamed for trapping thousands of families in temporary accommodation, with housing charity Shelter calling for the Government to accelerate the delivery of affordable social homes.
New government statistics show that 135,580 households were homeless and living in temporary accommodation, highlighting the continued pressure on England's housing system. Shelter argues that high private rents are making it increasingly difficult for families facing homelessness to secure suitable long-term housing.
The charity is calling on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to use the upcoming Autumn Budget to increase investment in council housebuilding and expand the supply of genuinely affordable social housing.
Why Are Families Struggling to Find Affordable Housing?
Private rents have risen significantly in recent years, creating additional pressure for households on lower incomes.
The latest ONS figures show that average UK private rents reached £1,393 a month in July 2026, representing a 3.7% annual increase.
When rents rise faster than household budgets, finding suitable accommodation can become increasingly difficult particularly when affordable social housing is already in short supply.
Is Private Rental Supply Part of the Problem?
The debate isn't simply about rental prices.
The availability of homes is also critical.
When demand for rental properties exceeds supply, competition can push rents higher. At the same time, landlords face rising costs including mortgages, maintenance, insurance and compliance.
This creates a difficult balance for policymakers: how can rental housing remain affordable while ensuring there is enough incentive for landlords to continue providing homes?
Why More Social Housing Matters
Shelter argues that increasing the supply of social housing is central to addressing the problem.
Recent research has highlighted the scale of the social housing shortage, with more than 1.3 million households waiting for social housing in England.
Increasing the availability of genuinely affordable homes could reduce pressure on both households and the private rental market.
What Does This Mean for Landlords?
The latest figures highlight why landlords need to understand their local rental market rather than relying solely on national trends.
Landlords should keep track of:
Understanding these factors can help landlords make informed decisions about rents, investment and the long-term performance of their properties.
How Propell Can Help
Propell brings key property information together, including live valuations, rental comparables, compliance reminders and portfolio insights.
With better visibility of market conditions and portfolio performance, landlords can make decisions based on data rather than assumptions.
The growing number of households in temporary accommodation highlights the wider pressure facing the UK housing market. While Shelter is calling for greater investment in social housing, the private rented sector will also remain an important part of meeting housing demand.
For landlords, understanding rental demand, costs and property performance is becoming increasingly important as the market continues to evolve.
Frequently asked questions
How many households are currently in temporary accommodation?
Government statistics show that 135,580 households were homeless and living in temporary accommodation.
Why is Shelter calling for more social housing?
Shelter argues that high private rents and the shortage of affordable homes are contributing to homelessness and wants the Government to accelerate council housebuilding.
What can landlords do in a changing rental market?
Landlords should regularly review rental comparables, property values, operating costs and portfolio performance to understand whether their properties remain financially sustainable.
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