New figures released by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show that one in five families with children living in temporary accommodation in England, and one in three in London, have been there for five years or longer.
The data shows a record 172,420 children are now living in temporary accommodation. Much of this housing is overcrowded and lacks basic facilities such as kitchens and laundry access.
Campaigners warn that these conditions have serious impacts on children’s health and wellbeing, with at least 74 child deaths linked to temporary accommodation over the past five years.
Housing groups say rising rents are trapping families in temporary accommodation, as Local Housing Allowance has failed to keep pace with the private rental market.
ONS data shows that average private rents have risen by 8.5% since April 2024, when housing benefit rates were last updated.
The shortfall is placing severe pressure on local councils, which are spending millions each year either on temporary accommodation itself or incentive payments to landlords to take on homeless tenants.
London Councils has warned that several boroughs are at risk of bankruptcy due to escalating costs.
Tom Darling, director at the Renters’ Reform Coalition, said: “The fact that one in five homeless families have been trapped in temporary accommodation for five years or more is a moral stain on society.
“TA barely merits the term accommodation. Cramped, unhealthy and lacking facilities, it is totally unsuitable for families with children, particularly for long periods of time.”
He added: “The Renters’ Rights Bill will deliver welcome protections for tenants, but it will not address the affordability crisis that is keeping families trapped in homelessness and pushing councils to the brink of bankruptcy.
“The Government must cap rent increases to stop rents from outpacing wages or inflation, and in the longer term we need a National Affordable Renting Commission to make renting genuinely affordable.”
