
It is a nationwide crisis and families are reaching breaking point across the UK. Working parents are increasingly finding themselves without a home due to a sudden change in circumstances, and half of private renters are only one pay cheque away from being unable to pay their rent if they lose their job.
When a family becomes homeless, they are often placed in emergency temporary accommodation – mostly hotels or B&Bs – which are wholly unsuitable for family life, turning what is a stressful situation into a pressure cooker of practical and emotional difficulties.
Practically, living in one cramped room means siblings might have to share beds and have nowhere to play, often compounded by a lack of outside space other than the hotel’s car park. With no fridge or basic cooking and washing facilities, surviving day to day suddenly becomes an enormous challenge. This means homelessness can impact every aspect of a child’s development and have devastating long-term effects.
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