A new report reveals that more than 200,000 children in England will be forced to live in temporary accommodation by the end of this parliamentary term, highlighting the ongoing housing crisis.
According to projections by the housing charity Shelter, this will represent a 26% increase over the next five years, a worrying trend that is set to put immense pressure on local councils and the national budget.
As the number of children in temporary housing continues to rise, the financial cost to taxpayers is expected to reach £3.9 billion annually by 2029, a 71% increase.
The Impact of the Housing Crisis on Children
The latest figures from Shelter paint a stark picture of England’s housing crisis. The charity’s analysis indicates that by 2029, 206,000 children will be living in temporary housing, a significant rise from current levels.
Temporary accommodation, which includes hostels, bedsits, and bed-and-breakfasts, has become the only option for many families who cannot afford permanent housing.
In the short term, this growing reliance on temporary housing is a direct result of the lack of affordable homes and the increasing cost of private rents. Local authorities are being forced to spend billions of pounds each year on emergency accommodation, as the existing housing stock fails to meet demand.
This growing burden on local councils, already under financial strain, is expected to worsen unless significant policy changes are implemented.
According to Mairi MacRae, Director of Policy and Campaigns at Shelter, the situation is dire. She notes that children living in temporary accommodation face significant hardships, including cramped living conditions, instability, and the absence of a permanent home.
“It is a national shame that so many thousands of children in England are growing up in cramped, insecure temporary accommodation – sharing beds with siblings, eating dinner from trays on their laps, and being moved from one place to the next with no stability. This should never be the reality for any child, but without urgent action, the number of homeless families is set to soar.” she says.
Rising Costs and the Need for Long-Term Solutions
The financial impact of the housing crisis is considerable, with councils paying far above market rates for temporary housing. According to reports, some local authorities are paying up to 60% more than the market rent to secure emergency spaces.
This is resulting in a £2 billion industry centred around housing those who would otherwise end up on the streets. The increasing demand for temporary accommodation and the corresponding rise in costs is exacerbating the financial pressure on councils, with many now facing the prospect of bankruptcy.
To address these issues, experts are calling for an increase in social housing provision. The government’s recent efforts to tackle the problem, including the renters’ rights bill and an increase in funding for affordable housing, are steps in the right direction. However, according to Shelter, these measures alone will not be enough to stem the tide.
The charity advocates for the construction of 90,000 new social homes each year for the next decade, arguing that only a sustained, large-scale investment in affordable housing will provide families with the stability they need and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation.
Without bold, long-term solutions to address the shortage of affordable homes, the number of families living in temporary accommodation is set to rise even further, with significant consequences for both families and taxpayers.
