HUNDREDS of households in Colchester were tipped into homelessness during the first 18 months of the Covid-19 pandemic, figures reveal.

Housing charity Shelter said thousands of families across the country have become homeless during the Covid-19 crisis, and with living costs rising, more are at risk now.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities figures show 540 households in Colchester sought council support after becoming homeless between April 2020 and the end of September 2021.

Of those, 129 were households with children.

Across England, 222,360 households have been pushed into homelessness since April 2020 – equivalent to a city three times larger than Colchester.

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Shelter said if someone has become repeatedly homeless over the 18 months, they would appear in the figures multiple times – though the charity estimates this to be a very small number of cases.

Bailiff-enforced evictions were banned for a large part of the pandemic – a measure introduced by the Government to prevent renters from being made homeless – though the ban was lifted in England on May 31 last year.

Containing the first three full months’ worth of data after the eviction ban was lifted, the latest statistics show 36,510 English households became homeless between July and September 2021 – the equivalent of 397 every day.

In Colchester, 76 households needed help because they were homeless over this time – down from 94 during the same period in 2020.

And homelessness charity Crisis said there are even more people across England "slipping through the cracks" who are not recorded in these figures.

Colchester Council leader, Paul Dundas said he is always worried when he hears stories about residents in the town struggling.

“Colchester Council has always been very proactive in helping residents in need,” said Mr Dundas.

“We recognise the current cost of living issues and we will continue to commit whatever resources necessary to support anyone struggling.

“Of course, it’s hard to not be worried about these figures – we’re concerned for all residents.

“I would add Colchester Council probably does more than many other councils when it comes to helping and promoting others.”

If you are struggling with homelessness in Colchester, contact Colchester Council or, alternatively, Beacon House charity.