137,000 renting households were at risk of eviction in last year, says Shelter

Homeless charity Shelter has warned that 137,733 renting households were put at risk of eviction in the past 12 months across England.

The charity expressed fears this meant some 316,900 people were in danger of being turfed out of their homes.

Shelter said that bailiffs had evicted 39,723 renting households in the last year as it called for more action to provide affordable homes.

Quoting Government figures, the charity said the biggest cause of homelessness is the loss of a private tenancy dwelling.

Shelter chief executive Campbell Robb, said: "The news that right now hundreds of thousands of renters are at serious risk of losing their home is a sobering reminder of the impact of welfare cuts and the severe lack of affordable homes.

"Our deepening housing crisis means that over 120,000 children will wake up homeless this Christmas, and sadly this shows that not far behind them are many more families still desperately fighting to stay in their home.

"Our helpline advisers can make the difference between a family losing their home and keeping it, but we are finding it increasingly tough to keep up with soaring demand.

"We urgently need more support this Christmas to make sure no-one is left to fight homelessness on their own."