A tenant group and a homelessness charity have highlighted the impact of unaffordable private rents and a shortage of social housing on the rising numbers of people experiencing homelessness in the UK. This issue is significant for landlords and agents as it reflects ongoing pressures within the rental market and the broader housing sector.

Rising Homelessness Linked to Housing Affordability

The Renters’ Reform Coalition, alongside the homelessness charity Crisis, has raised concerns that the increasing cost of private rents, combined with a chronic lack of social housing, is forcing more individuals into temporary accommodation or onto the streets. As winter sets in with freezing temperatures, the urgency of this issue grows.

Government figures reveal that nearly a third of households in temporary accommodation—42,740 in total—are housed outside their local area, marking a 10% increase within a single year. This displacement can have significant social and economic consequences for those affected, as well as for local housing markets.

Unaffordable Private Rents and Insufficient Social Housing

Reposting an article from The Independent on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the Renters’ Reform Coalition emphasised that unaffordable private rents are a key factor putting people at risk of homelessness. They stated: “Unaffordable rents put people at risk of homelessness. Along with a lack of social housing, this means that more people are forced onto the streets in this freezing cold weather. The government must address the cost of renting crisis.”

For landlords and letting agents, this highlights the ongoing challenges tenants face in securing affordable housing. It also underscores the importance of understanding the broader housing environment, including government policies and market trends that affect tenant stability and demand.

Insights from Crisis on Temporary Accommodation and Shelter Pressures

Francesca Albanese, director of policy and social change at Crisis, spoke to The Independent about the situation: “We are seeing a massive increase in temporary accommodation and seeing record levels of people accessing them. There isn’t enough social housing, and the private sector isn’t affordable, and that is decades in the making.”

She described homelessness as isolating and dangerous, noting that while shelters and emergency accommodation provide short-term relief during cold weather, they often struggle to offer long-term support or connect individuals to necessary services.

Ms Albanese also highlighted the growing demand for emergency accommodation during cold spells, stating: “These kinds of shelter are facing pressures of their own in terms of provision, as we’ve seen rough sleeping going up but we’ve not seen huge increases in funding for emergency accommodation. Emergency provision such as this is vital and lifesaving, and we know people can’t survive when temperatures plummet, and we know it doesn’t cover everybody and there needs to be more of it.”

Implications for Landlords and Agents

For landlords and letting agents, these developments have several implications. Rising rents and limited affordable housing options can increase tenant turnover and arrears, impacting rental income stability. Understanding the pressures tenants face may encourage more supportive landlord practices, such as flexible payment arrangements or engagement with local housing support services.

Moreover, the shortage of social housing and the unaffordability of private rents underscore the importance of sustainable rental pricing and property management strategies that balance profitability with tenant retention and welfare.

Looking Ahead: Support for Landlords and Property Professionals

In response to ongoing challenges within the rental sector, The Landlord Association (TLA) is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026. This initiative will feature verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. Service providers across legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other relevant sectors are invited to register their interest.

This development aims to provide landlords and agents with reliable resources to navigate the complexities of the rental market, including issues related to tenant affordability and housing stability.