Recent data from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has revealed a concerning increase in the number of children residing in temporary accommodation in Teignbridge, mirroring a nationwide trend.
Across England, there has been a surge in the number of homeless children living in short-term housing, reaching a record high according to the latest figures. Housing charities have sounded the alarm, highlighting the profound impact of homelessness on a generation of young lives, while advocating for robust reforms in rental policies.
The statistics indicate that by the end of 2023, there were 74 children residing in temporary accommodation in Teignbridge, marking an escalation from the previous year's figure of 50. This trend is reflective of the broader landscape, with 145,800 children across England finding themselves in temporary housing situations—a 20% increase since records began two decades ago, and a 15% rise from the preceding year.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, emphasised the urgency of addressing this crisis, condemning decades of insufficient investment in affordable housing that has left families grappling with exorbitant rental costs.
In Teignbridge specifically, 68 households were recorded as living in temporary accommodation, with 32 of them containing dependent children—an increase from the previous year's count of 57 households. Of these, 16 families were accommodated in hostels, while 14 resided in private rental properties.
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