Research reveals hundreds of Coventry children living in poor conditions
Over 150,000 children in England are homeless in temporary accommodation, the highest number since records began in 2004
Around 1 in 44 children in Coventry are homeless in temporary accommodation, living in "cramped and unsafe" conditions.
New research from IKEA and Shelter reveals there's been a 15% increase in child homelessness across the UK in the past year.
They found 47% of families have been stuck there for over two years, far beyond what is considered "temporary."
Approximately 75% of households homeless in temporary accommodation report living in poor conditions, with issues like mould, overcrowding, and safety hazards such as faulty wiring.
The data revealed 35% of parents saying their children do not even have their own bed in temporary accommodation.
Barrie Hodge is from St Basil's Coventry Youth Hub - which supports young people across the city with housing concerns.
He said: “There’s definitely been an increase in demand for our services. We deal with young people between the ages of 16 and 25, and we are seeing a vast increase in the numbers coming in for support. And we are seeing evidence that this is across the board.”
Barrie continued: “Living in poor quality accommodation will have a massive impact on children. It will have major impact on their physical and mental wellbeing. It will have a major impact on their education, because how can you possibly do homework if you’re living that way.
“St Basils has been saying for years that what we need is an early prevention strategy. We need to get to people before these issues get so bad, before they reach crisis point. Because if we don’t do that, then all we’re going to get is crisis.
“The reality is, if we’re really serious about helping people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and the impact that may have on children, we have to start thinking before it gets to crisis point and putting measures in place.”
IKEA and Shelter are calling on the Government to commit to building 90,000 social homes every year for the next ten years to tackle this housing emergency.