MORE households in Northumberland were estimated to be homeless at the start of this year, new figures show.

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

Of those, 6,440 were because of a Section 21 "no-fault" eviction, which allows landlords to evict a tenant with two months’ notice, without having to give a reason.

In May, the Government published its Renters (Reform) Bill banning no-fault evictions and introducing greater protections for renters. It has not progressed through Parliament since.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities figures show 164 households in Northumberland were estimated to be homeless and were owed a relief duty, which requires housing authorities to help secure accommodation. This increased from 140 the year before.

There were 28 single parents and 16 couples with dependent children homeless in Northumberland between January and March.

Polly Neate, chief executive of homelessness charity 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.”

A DLUHC spokesperson 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.”