The number of households homeless in Oxford has increased at the start of this year, new figures have shown.

Across England, homelessness has hit an all-time high, with 79,840 households facing homelessness in the first quarter of the year.

Out of these households, 6,440 were because of a Section 21 “no-fault” eviction which allows landlords to evict a tenant with only two months’ notice, without having to give a reason.

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In Oxford, figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities have shown that 79 households in Oxford were estimated to be homeless in the first quarter of this year.

They were owed a relief duty, which requires housing authorities to help them secure accommodation.

This was an increase from 43 the year before.

Polly Neate, chief executive of the national homeless service Shelter, said: “With record numbers of people becoming homeless, the time for empty words on building social homes and overdue promises on ending no fault evictions has long passed.

“No-fault evictions are fuelling homelessness and throwing thousands of families’ lives into turmoil.”

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In Oxford, 1.5 per 100,000 people were estimated to be homeless and the national average stands at 1.8 people.

A  Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities spokesman said: “We are determined to prevent homelessness before it occurs.

"Temporary accommodation ensures no family is without a roof over their head and we have been clear that its use is always a last resort.

“That’s why we have given £2 billion over three years to help local authorities tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, targeted to areas where it is needed most.”

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Ed specialises in writing political stories for the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times. 

He joined in the team in February 2023, after completing a History undergraduate degree at the University of York and studying for his NCTJ diploma in London.

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