There were 62,000 homeless families living in temporary accommodation in England at the end of 2018. Among these families were 124,000 children.
This according to the August 2019 report (pdf) from the Children’s Commissioner on tackling the crisis of family homelessness in England.
There could be between 550,000 and 600,000 children in England who either are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
The report recommends:
- The Government must invest properly in house-building so that there are more affordable homes
- The Government should immediately address welfare changes which are tipping too many families into rent arrears
- Councils must be given clarity on future funding for the implementation of their new duties under the Homelessness Reduction Act after current funding runs out in 2020
- Children should not be housed in the same accommodation blocks as vulnerable adults if kitchen and/or bathroom facilities are shared.
