The number of people seeking help from the council to stop them becoming homeless has risen over the past year.

Some 400 households have been assessed for help from Wokingham Borough Council so far this year – with 391 of them deemed to be in need. That’s up from 313 households deemed in need last year.

The council’s rough sleeping and housing manager David Higgins said the increase could be put down to a lack of affordable housing and rising costs.

He said: “The rise in homelessness assessments can be attributed to various factors, notably the scarcity of affordable housing, particularly pronounced in more expensive areas like Wokingham.

“The widening gap between market rent and local housing allowance, a form of housing benefit, further exacerbates the issue.”

READ MORE: Action needed as homelessness doubles in Bracknell, figures show

Mr Higgins said there had also been a rise in landlords issuing no-fault eviction notices, which requires tenants to leave their homes in as little as two months. Yet he said a potential ban on no-fault evictions meant some landlords are considering selling up.

He said: “There is a noticeable rise in no-fault eviction notices (section 21). This can be attributed to escalating rents driven by inflation, landlords perceiving the private rented sector as less financially viable due to mortgage costs increasing, and the addition of further regulatory burdens.

“Adding to the complexities, the government’s proposal to end section 21 as part of the Renters (Reform) Bill removes landlords’ ability to regain possession of the property without providing a reason.

“This uncertainty is prompting some landlords to consider selling their properties while they still can exercise this option.”

The figures were released by the government across October and November this year, along with statistics for all other councils in England.

In Bracknell Forest, the number of people seeking homelessness help from the council has fallen since last year.

Some 655 households were assessed – with 511 deemed to be in need. That’s down from 691 assessments last year, with 599 deemed in need.

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Bracknell Forest Council did not offer an explanation for why its figures had fallen while neighbouring boroughs had seen a rise.

But councillor Megan Wright, executive member for adults services, health and housing, said the council works hard to stop people becoming homeless.

She said: “Homelessness is a very complex issue, each case is nuanced and unique. We cater for all reasons for homelessness ranging from parental evictions, loss of private rented accommodation and domestic abuse, along with a multitude of other reasons.

“We work hard to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place. We have a team available to help anyone who may find themselves at risk of homelessness, providing support and assistance regardless of the time of year, including a mental health outreach officer.”