MORE families with children were at risk of becoming homeless in Southampton last year, new figures show.

The number was up to 277 households in 2021-22, from 214 the year before.

Homeless charity Crisis said the rise in families being forced from their homes across the country is "deeply worrying".

This is according to figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The figures were for the number of households with children that were owed a prevention duty in the city, meaning they are threatened with homelessness and eligible for local council support.

There were also 176 families already homeless in the year to March.

These were the households owed a relief duty, meaning that the city council must help them secure accommodation for at least six months.

The number of families all over the country at risk of becoming homeless has also risen in the last two years.

Some 11,000 more families are owed a prevention duty in the last year than the year before.

More than 56,000 households with children were at risk of losing their homes in 2021-22, up from more than 45,000 the year before.

The number of households with children that were already homeless rose from around 30,000 to almost 37,000 nationally.

The "intense" cost of living pressures and a lack of affordable housing is thought to be a contributor to the situation.

Kiran Ramchandani, director of policy and external affairs at Crisis, said: "The intense cost of living pressures and a severe lack of affordable housing mean many households with children will be forced into temporary accommodation and we know how damaging a long-term stay can be, especially for children and young people."

Ms Ramchandani urged the government to increase housing benefits in the autumn budget and set out a plan to provide affordable homes.

She said: "Only this action can protect thousands more families from homelessness in the coming months."

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said it is giving councils £316 million to "ensure families are not left without a roof over their heads".

The spokesperson said: "Over half a million households have been prevented from becoming homeless or supported into settled accommodation since 2018 through the Homelessness Reduction Act."

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