Fears have been raised in Stockport over an 'out of control' housing crisis, as homelessness keeps rising – with one councillor branding the situation a 'tragedy'.

Between 2020 and 2025, the number of people presenting to Stockport council as homeless has increased by 1,155. This is a rise of nearly 72% and between 2019 and 2025 the number of people rough sleeping has quadrupled.

Rough sleeping figures show Stockport is now only behind Manchester in Greater Manchester and £2m was spent on temporary accommodation. While the A Bed Every Night scheme does provide emergency accommodation, there is currently a waiting list.

The most common reasons for homelessness are either family or friends no longer willing or able to accommodate people, the end of a private rented tenancy, those leaving Home Office accommodation, and domestic abuse. The local authority said as a result of demand, it has seen a 'sharp rise' in hotels and bed and breakfasts being used 'due to insufficient supply of suitable alternatives'.

In a Stockport council report, councillor Jake Austin, who oversees the council's service, said homelessness 'remains one of the most pressing challenges facing our communities', adding: "These challenges have led to record levels of homelessness presentations."

To tackle the problem, the council said it will increase early intervention and support. On housing, a council report said the local authority would look to improve access to the private rented sector, support people to maintain their tenancies, and promote safety.

At a meeting on September 3, Labour councillor Claire Vibert said: "The housing crisis is becoming out of control in Stockport. It's getting worse and worse every year." She argued there was no 'genuine ambition' by the council to resolve the issue.

Pointing to the council's regeneration plans for the town centre, she said: "We are doing things now where we could make active decisions to solve or significantly alleviate the issues within Stockport."

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In response, Cllr Austin said temporary accommodation costs were high even if lower than expected and they were looking at opportunities to reduce them. He also said the Labour UK government needed to get more of a grip on the issue and provide more funding.

He told councillors: "What you described as a Stockport crisis is probably better described as a national housing crisis. We are certainly not the only council within the country. In fact, almost all councils around the country are facing the same issue."

Green councillor James Frizzell said there needed to be more social housing built and criticised the national picture, adding: "There have been things coming down the track which are now hitting us so hard, hitting these vulnerable families, and this could been done a long time ago. This is political failure."

Concerns were also raised about the continuation of a policy housing homeless families outside of the borough including as far away as Aberdeen. The people involved had agreed to do this but the policy, which has eased pressure on services, will be reviewed in a year.

Councillors also endorsed a policy that will require any new houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in the borough to seek planning permission in a move to increase transparency and give the local authority more oversight. The move has been welcomed by opposition parties including Labour, the Greens, the Edgeley Community Association, and Reform UK.