Housing shortages sparks fears over unsafe & unhealthy living conditions
A homelessness charity is calling for Government action
A housing charity has told us that there are housing shortages in Wiltshire are forcing teenage boys to share a bed with their mum in temporary accommodation.
Homelessness charity, Shelter, is calling for Government action as data from March this year showed a record number of children aren't living in a permanent home since records began 20 years ago.
That data showed 125 children in Wiltshire living in temporary accommodation, with over 150,000 without a place to call home across England.
With an increasing number of families struggling to afford to keep a roof over their heads, more and more are finding themselves in cramped, unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
Research by the charity shows that the 'temporary' nature has become something more permanent with almost half (47%) of homeless families trapped in those conditions for more than two years.
They're forced to endure problems such as dangerous mould, faulty wiring, overcrowding, and even infestations, all while trying to maintain some semblance of normal life for their children.
Shelter is demanding the Government commits to building more affordable social rent housing.
Their Policy Manager, Deborah Garvie, told us: "One of the biggest causes of child poverty is family's struggling to keep a roof over their heads or in temporary accommodation, which is horrifically expensive on top of everything else."
Ms Garvie added the siblings sharing beds with each other, or their parents - including teen boys and mothers - is a 'common' occurrence.
Alongside the health concerns of living in such poor conditions, there a worries over the mental health impact living in temporary accommodation is having on young people.
"The number one thing children need is stability and certainty and knowing what's going to happen and where they're going to be," Ms Garvie said, "That's something that's very difficult for parents to steer children through when the parent doesn't know themselves."
We've contacted Wiltshire Council for comment.