Homelessness figures: Nearly 100,000 children in England ‘homeless’

Nearly 100,000 children in England are living in temporary accommodation after being made homeless, new figures show.

At the end of June, 66,980 individuals or families were registered as having no home of their own – an increase of 12% from the same date last year.

Almost a third of them had lost a home in the private rented sector.

Homelessness charities blamed housing benefit failing to keep pace with rent rises – but the government said there was a “strong welfare safety net”.

Most homeless families with children are living in self-contained accommodation – where there is sole use of a kitchen and bathroom – the government figures show.

But more than 2,500 are living in bed and breakfast accommodation – 25% higher than a year earlier.

Of those households, 830 have been in B&Bs for more than 6 weeks, 36% higher than a year earlier.

Source BBC Website