Charity launches urgent appeal after investigation reveals devastating realities faced by homeless children
Shelter analysis of government statistics reveals that over 1,100 children will wake up homeless this Christmas day in the North West – a rise of a quarter in the last year.
And worryingly, with councils feeling the pressure of our affordable housing shortage, the number of families across Britain living in B&Bs – accommodation which is often cramped and unsafe for children – has more than trebled over the last five years.
Shelter is calling on the public for urgent support this Christmas, as its advisers struggle to cope with demand for help from the growing number of families battling to keep a roof over their heads.
To highlight the heart-breaking real life stories behind these shocking statistics, the charity has conducted research with 20 families living in B&Bs and hostels, uncovering the struggles they face every day.
Families reported living in unfit and often dangerous conditions, with reports of children seeing their parents being physically attacked, being exposed to drug and alcohol abuse, and having strangers enter their rooms without permission.
The majority of families interviewed said their children’s emotional wellbeing and development had been badly affected, with reports of bed-wetting, problems with speech, anxiety, and distress.
In some cases, the impact was so severe that parents reported that children developed worrying behaviours including one child who began to self-harm and a six year old boy who developed a nervous tick due to anxiety.
Many children were also fearful of their new surroundings and became tearful and clingy, not wanting to be in different rooms from their parents.
Alison Mohammed, Director of Services at Shelter: “There’s nothing more heart-breaking than hearing the voice of a parent who’s desperately trying to keep a roof over their children’s heads.
“But the sad fact is, almost every day, we hear from families who’ve fallen on hard times and found themselves living in a single cramped room of a B&B or hostel, unable to give their children the environment they need to grow and thrive in.
“Worrying about your child’s safety every day, eating dinners on the floor, and sharing beds – this is no way for a family to live. But sadly we know we’re going to have even more families coming to us who are facing the reality of Christmas without a place to call home.
“That’s why we urgently need the public’s support to help us make sure we can be there for more homeless families this Christmas.”
To support Shelter’s Christmas appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70060 to donate £3.
