Nearly 1,000 people in Oldham are homeless based on estimates from government figures.

Housing charity Shelter's has carried out research which estimates the number of homeless people across England rose by 14 per cent in the last year.

It said the "housing emergency is out of control", and called on the government to take the issue seriously.

According to Shelter's estimates, which are based on figures provided by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), the figures show 997 people are estimated to be homeless in Oldham this year.

Of these, 993 people, including 481 children, live in temporary accommodation, either organised by social services, the council or themselves.

Meanwhile, four of the total homeless population are thought to be sleeping rough.

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Nationally, Shelter predicts around 309,000 people are currently without a home.

Homeless figures are snapshots or estimates of the problem, and they often undercount the true number.

Cllr Elaine Taylor, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Housing is a basic human right – nobody should be homeless.

“Unfortunately, we are in a housing crisis and there aren’t enough houses to meet demand or enough social homes available to address the problem.

“As a council we are determined that we will not sit by and allow this to continue to happen. Housing is one of our key priorities – we need more and better housing right across the borough.

Cllr Taylor said that in February, the council are holding a Housing Round Table event, which will bring together key partners from Oldham’s housing sector, as the local authority looks to improve things.

She said: “As a Council we’ve got a robust housing strategy and plans to build more houses, but the reality is that this government make it incredibly hard for councils across the country to build the social housing that residents need.

“We’re working closely with housing associations to deliver more social homes but we acknowledge that this will not deliver to the number of houses Oldhamers need without Government action.

“If any resident in our borough is homeless, or is worried about their housing situation, please get advice from our Housing Options Service as soon as possible. Visit www.oldham.gov.uk/housing for more information.”

A DLUHC spokesperson said temporary accommodation is "an important way of making sure no family is without a roof over their head", but councils must ensure it is temporary and suitable for families' needs.

They said funding to address homelessness includes £1 billion given to councils to financially support people moving out of temporary accommodation.

The spokesperson added: "Through our Rough Sleeping Strategy, we will continue to work to end rough sleeping completely."