A shocking report has revealed that 104 children in England have died in the past six years while living in temporary accommodation. According to data, 76 of those who died were under the age of one, highlighting the devastating impact of the housing crisis on the most vulnerable members of society.
The statistics, obtained by the BBC, also show that there were 64 stillbirths and 27 neonatal deaths involving mothers living in temporary accommodation in the UK in 2024. Experts are now calling for urgent, sustained action to address the housing crisis, which they say is pushing families to the brink of despair.
House prices in the UK have continued to rise, making it increasingly difficult for families to access affordable housing. According to Rightmove, the average house price in the UK is now £334,000, while mortgage rates have also increased, making it harder for people to secure a mortgage.
Regional variations in house prices are stark, with London, for example, seeing an average house price of £644,000, compared to £163,000 in the North East. This has led to a situation where families are being forced to live in temporary accommodation for extended periods, with little hope of securing a permanent home.
According to Zoopla, the number of homes available for sale in the UK has continued to decline, exacerbating the housing shortage. This has serious consequences for families struggling to find a place to call home.