Help UK Fight Homelessness

We’ve reached yet another appalling milestone in the housing emergency. As thousands of children in England start their exams, government data published yesterday shows that a record-breaking 145,800 children are homeless in temporary accommodation with their families. This is a 15% increase in just one year.

Families are struggling to cope with eye-watering rent rises, poorly regulated rented accommodation and inadequate housing benefit. The lack of affordable social homes makes it difficult to find a way out.

145,800 children are currently homeless in temporary accommodation.

Tens of thousands of women are mothering while homeless

Lone mother households make up 59% of families homeless in temporary accommodation provided by councils, despite making up only 20% of families in the general population.

That’s a whopping 36,940 women caring for their children alone in the most appalling conditions. Often accommodated in one room with a tiny kitchenette. No oven. No washing machine. Sometimes, not even a fridge.

Listen to Sky’s voice and Natasha’s voice to understand more about what this is like.

Trying to get children off to sleep while sharing beds. Then having to sit silently in the dark all evening so as not to wake them. Or potty-training toddlers in toilets shared with strangers. Travelling miles on buses to get the kids to school on time. Miles from the support of friends and family. Moved again at two days’ notice.

Worrying about the impact of the crowded and hazardous living conditions on their children, to the extent of checking they’re still alive at night. Just this week came the grim news that 55 children, most of them babies, have died suddenly and unexpectedly over the past four years while homeless in temporary accommodation. One in five households report they have a safety hazard, such as faulty wiring or fire risks.

As well as lone mother households, women also make up a proportion of the 21,640 couples who are homeless with children. They may not be parenting alone, but all the challenges of mothering in such circumstances remain. More than two thirds (68%) of families have spent a year or more homeless this way.

This is shocking.

But how did it come to this?

Decades of government failures and under-investment have created these problems. Now they're driving record levels of homelessness.

But the emergency doesn't stop there.

23% of renters have cut back on food and skipped meals in the last month to keep up with rent payments.

support people at risk of homelessness. Until housing justice ake sure everyone can access advice when they need it most.

Your regular donation can help us continue providing assistance.

We are working diligently in communities and towns across the UK, offering care, support, and practical help to some of the loneliest, poorest, and most desperate individuals.

Regular donations mean we can plan for the year ahead, knowing we'll have sufficient funds to carry out this vital work.

 

What projects can my regular gift support?

-Homelessness

-Tackling poverty and social exclusion

-Supporting older and isolated people

-Getting people back into employment

-Drug and Alcohol addiction

From providing hot meals and advice to people experiencing homelessness, to distributing food parcels to struggling families, we always there for vulnerable people and will never turn away. We cannot do so much good work without the generosity of our supporters. Will you consider setting up a regular gift today?

Funds raised will be used to help vulnerable people across all areas of our frontline work.