Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

24,000 people in West Midlands will spend Christmas without a home, new study finds

Shelter's comprehensive analysis of official homelessness figures and responses to Freedom of Information requests reveal 1 in 248 people in the West Midlands are homeless today

24,000 people in West Midlands will spend Christmas without a home, new study finds

New data released by Shelter UK reveals a harrowing reality for many in the West Midlands this Christmas: over 24,000 individuals, including 12,590 children, will experience homelessness, marking an 18% increase in one year.

Analysing official homelessness figures and data obtained through Freedom of Information requests, Shelter's comprehensive study exposes the dire situation.


Presently, 1 in 248 individuals in the West Midlands are homeless, a press release from Shelter said.

The rise in homelessness within the region has been swift and staggering, with 250 people sleeping rough on any given night—a 32% increase—and 22,400 individuals living in temporary accommodations (18% increase), notably families.

Birmingham, with 16,200 people, tops the list for the highest number of individuals without a home, followed by 2,600 in Coventry and 600 in Solihull.

The charity emphasises that while councils have a legal duty to house vulnerable individuals and families, the scarcity of affordable homes forces them to rely on temporary accommodations for extended periods.

Consequently, families endure prolonged stays in substandard hostels, B&Bs, or cramped spaces, often lacking essential amenities like cooking or laundry facilities.

Those ineligible for accommodation support might face the risk of homelessness, finding themselves on the streets, relying on sofa-surfing arrangements, or residing in hazardous living conditions.

Shelter's frontline services witness the grim reality of rising homelessness daily, supporting families cramped in inadequate accommodations with issues like moldy walls and bed bugs. Shelter also helps provide emergency assistance to people faced with a night on the streets.

Furthermore, Shelter has launched an urgent appeal, urging the public to help support individuals experiencing homelessness this winter.

Polly Neate, Shelter's chief executive, calls attention to the severity of the housing crisis, condemning the chronic underinvestment in social housing that has pushed many into homelessness.

“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,” she said.

“Until the government takes this emergency seriously, our frontline services will do everything they can to help people keep or find a safe home this winter. It is only with the public’s support that we can continue to provide vital advice and support and fight for the solutions people want and need to end homelessness.”

As a result of Shelter's commitment to providing crucial aid while rallying for viable solutions to end homelessness, the charity is staging the 'No Place Like Home' art installation at Birmingham New Street station from December 11-18.

24000 people in West Midlands will spend Christmas without a home new study finds 2 HSBC and Shelter, Birmingham Housing Crisis – Doors Art Installation, Birmingham New Street Station - Image Credit: James Robinson

This exhibit, featuring ten front doors adorned by independent artists inspired by real-life accounts of local families affected by homelessness, aims to spotlight the city's housing emergency.

HSBC UK, a key partner of Shelter, is sponsoring the installation, aiming to raise awareness and address the housing crisis.

Luke Harper, Head of Partnerships at HSBC UK said, “Everyone has a right to a safe home and a lockable front door. Through this compelling and accessible art installation, our aim is to help highlight the true scale of the housing crisis in Birmingham.

Emphasising the importance of a secure home and highlighting HSBC’s expanded collaboration with Shelter, he said the partnership focuses on supporting individuals, including single-parent families and marginalised groups, to increase financial resilience and counter homelessness.

24000 people in West Midlands will spend Christmas without a home new study finds 3 HSBC and Shelter, Birmingham Housing Crisis – Doors Art Installation, Birmingham New Street Station - Image Credit: James Robinson

“Building on the positive impact of our ground-breaking No Fixed Address bank account service, we’ve expanded our partnership with Shelter to help more people and families build financial resilience and break the vicious circle of homelessness. This includes funding greater emergency help measures, as well as expanding existing Shelter programmes with digital and in-person services to help people build financial health.”

Through this joint effort, they aim to provide targeted support and challenge housing system inequities. The installation, anticipated to attract 1.2 million visitors weekly during the bustling Christmas period, seeks to draw attention to this critical issue.

More information about this project can be found on the charity's website. Shelter exists to defend the right to a safe home and fight the devastating impact the housing emergency has on people and society. Shelter believes that home is everything.

More For You

Essex ladybird invasion

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear

Dee-anne Markiewicz / SWNS

Swarms of ladybirds invade Essex coastline amid soaring temperatures

Highlights:

  • Ladybird swarms reported across Essex and Suffolk coastal towns
  • Hot weather likely driving the sudden surge in population
  • Sightings include Point Clear, Shoebury, Clacton and Felixstowe
  • Similar outbreaks occurred in 1976 during another hot UK summer

Sudden surge in ladybird numbers across the southeast

Millions of ladybirds have been spotted swarming towns and villages along the Essex coast, with similar sightings stretching into Suffolk. Residents have reported unusually high numbers of the red and black-spotted insects, particularly near coastal areas, with the recent hot weather believed to be a major contributing factor.

One of the largest gatherings was filmed on a beach at Point Clear, a village near St Osyth in Essex, where the insects could be seen piling on top of each other on driftwood and plants.

Keep ReadingShow less
Kapil Sharma

Kapil Sharma’s Canada cafe shot at days after opening

Instagram/ginnichatrath

Kapil Sharma’s Canadian café targeted in shooting, Khalistani terrorist cites mockery of Nihang Sikhs as motive

Highlights:

  • Shots were fired at Kap’s Café in Surrey, Canada, owned by comedian Kapil Sharma, just days after its opening.
  • Khalistani extremist Harjit Singh Laddi, linked to banned group BKI, claimed responsibility.
  • The motive cited was an old comedy segment from The Kapil Sharma Show that allegedly mocked Nihang Sikhs.
  • No injuries were reported; Canadian authorities are investigating the incident.

Comedian Kapil Sharma’s recently launched Kap’s Café in Surrey, British Columbia, was the target of a shooting in the early hours of 10 July. Though no one was harmed, the property sustained significant damage. A known Khalistani extremist, Harjit Singh Laddi, has claimed responsibility for the attack, citing perceived religious disrespect on The Kapil Sharma Show.

 Kap\u2019s Cafe in Surrey  Kap’s Cafe in Surrey was struck by gunfire late at night with staff still insideInstagram/thekapscafe_

Keep ReadingShow less
Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

Models depicting migrants wearing life jackets in a small boat alongside two banners reading 'Stop the boats' and 'Veterans before refugees' are displayed on top a bonfire in Moygashel, Northern Ireland, on July 9, 2025. (Photo by PETER MURPHY/AFP via Getty Images)

Police probe hate crime over migrant effigies bonfire in Northern Ireland

POLICE in Northern Ireland have launched a hate crime investigation after a bonfire topped with effigies of migrants in a boat was set alight in the village of Moygashel, County Tyrone.

The incident, which took place on Thursday (10) night, has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, church officials, and human rights groups.

Keep ReadingShow less
Navratri festival in Wembley

A similar event held at the same site last year resulted in a planning enforcement notice being issued due to complaints of noise and disturbance.

Getty Images

Navratri festival in Wembley faces objections

A PROPOSED 10-day Hindu festival in Wembley, north London, has drawn objections over concerns about noise and disruption in the area.

Asian Events Media (AEM) has applied to Brent Council to host the Navratri celebration at Alperton Studios from September 22 to October 1, according to The London Standard.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

Asim Munir

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

PAKISTAN’S army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday (7) rejected Delhi’s allegation that his military received active support from longtime ally China in its conflict with India in May.

The Indian Army’s deputy chief, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, said last week that China gave Islamabad “live inputs” on key Indian positions.

Keep ReadingShow less