The most common reason for homelessness given in Worcester was domestic abuse, according to government data.

The department for levelling up housing and communities shared the figures on the Gov.uk website, published on April 28.

157 households were classed as either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless at the end of 2021.

Between October - December 2021, 93 households were officially classed as homeless, and a further 64 households were at risk of becoming homeless.

The graph below shows the ages, support needs, types of household and employment status of all those that fall into this demographic throughout the county.

The highest age demographic of lead applicants affected appeared to be the 25-34 age group, of which 47 people applied.

The data also shows a total of 45 lead applicants had a history of mental health problems.

The most common reason for homelessness given was due to domestic abuse, with a total of 20.

Single males were the most common household demographic, with a total of 61.

Unemployed was the most common employment status, with a total of 58.

The end of a private rented tenancy or friends and family no longer wanting to accommodate are the two most common reasons for the risk of homelessness.

READ MORE: Worcester's biggest homeless shelter could still be built despite refusal

The department for levelling up housing and communities shared the figures on the Gov.uk website, published on April 28.

A household is considered statutorily homeless if a local authority decides that they do not have a legal right to occupy accommodation that is accessible, physically available and which would be reasonable for the household to continue to live in.

Jonathan Sutton, CEO of St Paul's Hostel, said: "Homelessness is a much bigger social problem than rough sleeping.

"As the statistics show over 60% of the households who approach Worcester City Council for help were already housed but precariously housed, living with families who could no longer house them or leaving the household because of domestic abuse."

Last quarter, from July to September 2021, 191 households were either classed as homeless or were at risk of becoming homeless.

105 households were classed as homeless and 86 households were at risk of becoming homeless.