Homelessness among children rises by 15,000

Homelessness charity Shelter analysed latest figures on the use of temporary accommodation by families across England, Wales and Scotland. This shows that at the end of September 2015, there were 105,251 children living in temporary accommodation across the three countries, about 15,000 more than in September 2014.

The use of bed and breakfast accommodation – which Shelter said is “often cramped and unsafe for children” – has also risen. The use of this form of accommodation in England, Wales and Scotland rose 25 per cent, from 2,154 families with children at the end of June 2014 to 2,700 at the end of June 2015.

Since June 2010, when the figure stood at 817, the number of families with children living in bed and breakfast accommodation has trebled.

As part of their research into child homelessness, Shelter conducted 20 interviews with families either in or recently moved from temporary accommodation. Half said their child’s physical health had been negatively affected by the experience.

Shelter's director of services, Alison Mohammed, said: “The sad fact is, almost every day, we hear from families who’ve fallen on hard times and found themselves living in a single cramped room of a B&B or hostel, unable to give their children the environment they need to grow and thrive in.
 
“Worrying about your child’s safety every day, eating dinners on the floor and sharing beds is no way for a family to live. But sadly we know we’re going to have even more families coming to us who are facing the reality of Christmas without a place to call home.”

*To read more about the impact that homelessness has on children and young people, and the factors behind the rise in the use of temporary accommodation, click here or see the latest edition of CYP Now.