A new report from Shelter has revealed the truly terrible impact the housing crisis is having on families across the nation.
The housing charity has used the latest figures to estimate that 128,000 children will be homeless or in temporary accommodation in the UK this Christmas – the highest number in a decade.
It’s also 52% higher than only five years ago.
“It’s a national scandal that the number of homeless children in Britain has risen since 2011,” said Polly Neate, Shelter’s chief executive. “No child should have to spend Christmas without a home – let alone 128,000 children.”
“Many of us will spend Christmas Day enjoying all of the festive traditions we cherish, but sadly it’ll be a different story for the children hidden away in cramped B&Bs or hostel rooms.”
No child should have to spend Christmas without a home
Around one in eleven children live in these dreadful circumstances are classed as living in “emergency accommodation” – sharing facilities and even rooms with other families.