Opinion

Homeless families need parenting support

2 mins read Housing and benefits
Homeless children living in temporary accommodation such as hotels and bed and breakfasts has hit a record high. A total of 150,000 children are living out of a suitcase according to latest government figures.
Ian Soars, chief executive, Spurgeons

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.

Register Now to Continue Reading

Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's Included

  • Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month

  • Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector

Register

Already have an account? Sign in here

Posted under:


More like this