Christian children’s charity condemns temporary living accommodation for thousands of children

A new report from the office of the Children’s Commissioner has found that 210,000 young people in England were put up by councils in temporary housing and bed and breakfasts.

Anne Longfield said it was a scandal that they’re also forced to “sofa-surf” with friends, often for long periods.

Such accommodation could be unsafe, disruptive and overcrowded, with no room for children to play or do homework. It was frequently in poor condition, far from family support networks and schools, and often in isolated locations dogged by crime or antisocial behaviour.

CEO of Spurgeons Children’s Charity, Ross Hendry told Premier he is not surprised by the figures and said, they’re a “confirmation of what charities like Spurgeons have counted on the ground” over the last few years.

“What this report highlights is that there’s been an 80 percent increase in the number of children who are homeless, or sofa surfing, since 2010 and yes, it’s a sad, but I think, quite accurate picture.”

Hendry agreed with findings from the report that one cause was there not being enough affordable housing being built but also blamed “the rise in poverty and the economic hardship that families are going through”
meaning that “they are not able to stay in their homes”.

Hendry told Premier: “There are 375,000 children living in homes that are falling behind in their rent or their mortgage payments. So…