B&B use for families rises again
Neil Puffett
Friday, December 6, 2013
The number of families forced to live in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation for more than six weeks has increased five-fold since the coalition government came to power, latest figures show.
Statistics released by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) show that, as of 30 September this year, there were 790 families who had spent more than six weeks in B&B accommodation, compared to just 150 at the end of December 2010.
The latest figure represents a four per cent increase since 30 June this year, when the figure stood at 760.
The continuing rise in families staying in B&B accommodation for more than six weeks comes despite tough government rhetoric on the need to tackle the problem.
In 2012, then housing minister Grant Shapps chastised councils when the figure trebled from 150 in December 2010 to 450 in December 2011.
In total, 2,100 households with children were in B&B accommodation on 30 September this year, up four per cent on the figure for the same date last year.
The data also shows that 78,690 children or expected children, making up 42,150 households, are in some form of temporary accommodation.
Homelessness charity Shelter has warning that more parents will struggle to keep a roof over their children’s heads, as rising living costs and cuts to benefits take their toll.
It says families face terrible conditions in B&B accommodation that have included children witnessing open drug use and threats of violence, with many having to share a bathroom or toilet with strangers.
Campbell Robb, chief executive of Shelter, said government must “rebuild our shredded safety net so it’s there to catch families who fall on hard times”.
He added: “Shelter’s advisers work 365 days a year answering calls for help from families facing homelessness.
“But, with the number of people needing our services rising each day, we’ll be stretched to the limit this Christmas.”