Over 7,000 people have approached Birmingham City Council as homeless or threatened with homelessness so far in 2026, according to data released by the Birmingham City Council Observatory. The figures show a total of 7,231 individuals have sought assistance from the council in the first half of the year.
Comparison with Previous Year
In 2025, the council recorded 14,432 homeless presentations. If the current rate continues consistently for the remaining months of 2026, the projected annual total could reach 14,462, slightly exceeding last year's figure.
Ethnicity Breakdown
The data includes 22 ethnic categories. The largest group among those presenting as homeless is of English, Welsh, Scottish, and Northern Irish ethnicity, with 1,788 cases. This is followed by Pakistani (699), Black African (671), and Black Caribbean (376). A significant number of cases, 2,456, were recorded under the category 'not known.'
Other ethnicities include: Indian (241), Bangladeshi (188), White other (186), Black other (155), White Irish (138), Arab (133), Any other ethnic group (122), Chinese (67), White and Black Caribbean (65), White and Asian (44), White and Black African (42), Any other mixed background (42), Gypsy or Irish Traveller (27), Any other Asian background (24), Somali (20), White and Asian (14), and Roma (8).
Council Response
A spokesperson for Birmingham City Council said: 'We are committed to tackling homelessness and supporting those at risk. The figures highlight the ongoing challenge we face, and we continue to work with partners to provide housing advice, temporary accommodation, and long-term solutions.'
Impact and Future Projections
The data underscores the persistent demand for homelessness services in Birmingham. With projections indicating a potential increase in cases, the council faces continued pressure to allocate resources and implement effective prevention strategies. The full breakdown of ethnicities provides insight into the diverse communities affected by homelessness in the city.
