OVER 350 households in Dorset are homeless or at risk of homelessness, according to the latest figures.

The data, revealed by the Office for National Statistics, showed that there were 233 households in the county living in temporary accommodation at the end of 2021: 89 of which included children. A further 120 households were assessed by the local authority as being “at risk” of homelessness within eight weeks.

Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, portfolio holder for Housing and Community Safety, said he was ‘encouraged’ that the figures were down (14%) pre-pandemic but highlighted the need for increased awareness around the support that is available.

“We’ve seen over the past couple of years that life can change so quickly for any of us and there’s very rarely one root cause of someone losing their home. It’s a combination of factors that build and we’re really saying to people that we know when things get hairy and stressful people can put their heads down and try and put it to one side but by raising it early with the council then we can start that proactive engagement and early intervention.”

Nationally the ONS reported that, for the last quarter of 2021, nearly 65,000 households were initially assessed as being homeless or statutory homeless.

According to the report, produced by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, the most prevalent cause of homelessnes was the end of private rented Assured Shorthold Tenancy which accounted for a third of households being owed a prevention duty.

Dorset Council are currently enacting their five year homelessness and rough sleeper strategy which aims to bring together public bodies and those in the voluntary and private sector to provide a single, cohesive strategy towards tackling homelessness.

Councillor Carr-Jones said that collaborative approach should make it easier going forward for people to access the right support.

“Things can turn on a sixpence and it’s not a crime for people to ask for help. No-one should feel awkward: circumstances change for everyone and if you need some help then the Council wants to provide that support. The most important things in life are health, family and having a roof over your head.”