New research finds nearly 60,000 Londoners in private rent could be homeless over the next six years if the government keeps Local Housing Allowance (LHA) freeze.

London Councils has commissioned independent research from Alma Economics that estimates an additional 16,500 to 22,000 London households will become homeless by 2030 unless LHA is raised.

One in seven London private renters are reliant on LHA to meet their housing costs the research found.

Ealing Council joins London Councils in their stance that the government needs to take more action and work better with local authorities to support Londoners.

A council spokesperson said: "In Ealing, as across London and large parts of the UK we are facing a housing crisis. As renting in the private sector becomes less and less affordable, homelessness is rising.

"At Ealing, we have seen an unprecedented rise in the number of households who are at risk of being made homeless and have nowhere else to turn for help.

"The Government needs to ensure that support for low-income households keeps pace with the real costs of housing.

"Increasing homelessness creates pressures on council and public services, but more importantly is completely devastating to the individuals and families affected."

Alma Economics' research suggests restoring LHA to cover at least 30% of local market rents would save the public finances in London more than £100m each year.

Councillor Darren Rodwell, London Councils' Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: "Raising Local Housing Allowance is vital for getting a grip on the homelessness crisis.

"London's homelessness pressures are already enormous and unsustainable. On current trends, almost 60,000 more London renters are set to become homeless in the coming years.

"London is the epicentre of the national homelessness crisis. The situation is increasingly unmanageable and requires urgent government action. We cannot continue in this disastrous direction.

"Just as the government boosted LHA during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent a wave of mass homelessness, we need a similar emergency response to the situation today."

Cllr Rodwell added: "An increase in LHA will help low-income households pay their rents and avoid homelessness, which can be so devastating to families and bring massive costs to local services."

The capital accounts for more than half (57%) of England's total number of homeless households in temporary accommodation.

London Councils' most recent figures show that almost 170,000 Londoners are currently homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local authority – equivalent to around one in 50 Londoners overall and one in 23 children in the capital.

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