York: Dozens of homeless children housed in temporary accommodation

Rachael Maskell, York Central MP, said the figures are “another shameful reminder of the reality across the country” and – along with the MP for York Outer and a city council chief – backed calls for more affordable housing.

Labour described the homelessness crisis as a "national scandal" as the number of children living in temporary accommodation hit a record high.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government figures show 63 households in York were living in temporary accommodation as of the end of March.

Of these, 29 households had 45 children – down from 63 a year earlier.

Denis Southall, head of housing management and housing options at City of York Council, told The Press the number of households living in temporary accommodation has since fallen to 63 – 26 of which are families that include children.

“We will continue to work with them to help find more lasting and secure accommodation, as well as offering training and other support,” he added.

Mr Southall said the council “provides temporary accommodation for all those accepted as homeless”.

Despite the drop in York, a record 120,000 households were living in temporary accommodation nationally.

Meanwhile, the number of children rose by 15 per cent, surpassing 150,000 and reaching the highest figure since records began in 2004.

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Temporary accommodation is a form of homelessness and can include people living in hostels or bed and breakfasts.

In York, no households were living in B&B hotels as of March.

Mr Southall said: “We know that the current cost-of-living crisis is extremely challenging for many residents.

“We, along with a range of other organisations across the city, are here to help.”

Families struggling to keep a roof over their heads amid cost of living crisis, says MP

Ms Maskell told The Press that “decades of failure to care for families and build enough genuinely affordable social homes has left families struggling to pull together the extortionate sums needed to keep a roof over their heads”.

“This problem is particularly acute in York, where the cost of living, including housing and rents, far out strips wages.”

Rachael Maskell, York Central MP (Image: Danny Lawson/PA Wire)

The Labour MP said homelessness impacts “every part of a child’s life”, adding: “Without access to a safe and stable home environment our young people can’t do the simple things that every child should be able to enjoy.”

Luke Charters, York Outer MP, told The Press he is working with City of York Council’s housing boss, Cllr Michael Pavlovic, on the authority’s ‘Housing First’ approach, aiming to deliver 100 per cent affordable housing on council land.

"While the figures on homeless children that are being housed in temporary accommodation have decreased compared to previous years, the numbers are still deeply concerning,” he said.

Luke Charters, York Outer MP (Image: Supplied)

Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s executive member for education, children and young people, told The Press: “The financial reductions imposed on local government for the last 14 years makes our role increasingly difficult but we’re determined to do the right thing for those families most in need.”

He added that more government funding is needed in York “to boost other forms of support that will help families keep their heads above water and be able to thrive”.

Cllr Bob Webb, City of York Council’s executive member for education, children and young people (Image: Supplied)

“While it’s positive to see we are bucking the national trend by reducing the number of families in temporary accommodation, local councils need more funding and a welfare benefits system that properly supports those that need it," Cllr Webb said.

“A national commitment to building more affordable homes is welcome.”

• City of York Council said anyone concerned about their finances can find support at https://www.york.gov.uk/benefits and anyone worried about losing their home should contact its Housing Options team at www.york.gov.uk/HousingOptions or phone 01904 554500.