During a four-year time frame, investigations have revealed that temporary housing has been responsible for the deaths of numerous infants in England.
MPs and the government described the statistics as alarming, as living in temporary housing played a role in the unexpected deaths of 55 children between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2023, as reported by official reviewers. Of those children, 42 were less than one year old.
Some forms of temporary lodging, such as bed and breakfasts and hostels, may be provided by local governments. Due to limited availability of affordable housing and high private rental costs, some councils have been forced to use substandard and cramped accommodations.
The data was initially brought to light on Monday by ITV News, following an examination by the national database that records information from committees comprised of healthcare experts, social workers, and other government officials that meet following a child’s death.
“The fact that children are losing their lives due to the living conditions in temporary housing is appalling, especially in the fifth largest global economy,” said Siobhain McDonagh, who heads the all-party parliamentary group for temporary accommodation.
It is unacceptable that councils are facing immense pressure. The number of homeless families in need of housing continues to rise, while the availability of suitable housing decreases. This has resulted in councils being forced to place individuals in deplorable living situations.
I noticed that some of the living conditions are not suitable for anyone, especially a child. It’s like the wild west out there.
A representative for the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities expressed astonishment at the results, stating that their guidance to local authorities clearly states that all temporary housing must meet safety standards and be suitable for families with infants, with enough room for a crib. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with parliamentarians and councils to address this significant issue.
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The officials did not specify which parts of the temporary housing may have led to the deaths. A coroner concluded that dampness and mold were responsible for the passing of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in a Rochdale apartment provided by social housing in December 2020.
According to a recent article by The Guardian, a mother living in a moist and moldy public housing apartment in Lewisham, south-east London, contemplated putting her six-year-old son in foster care due to her worries about his respiratory problems.
A mother with four children residing in temporary housing in east London faced struggles to leave a crowded residence with up to 13 occupants sharing only one bathroom. Despite having a child with a disability and dealing with mold in their bedroom, it took several months for this individual to secure a new living arrangement.
“Unfortunately, it is heartbreaking that a large number of children are currently residing in temporary housing,” stated Darren Rodwell, the housing representative for the Local Government Association that speaks on behalf of councils.
“In the previous year, local authorities allocated a total of £1.74 billion towards assisting 104,000 households with temporary housing, marking the highest numbers recorded. The best solution to this problem is to tackle the lack of appropriate housing options nationwide and increase the supply of social housing within councils.”
Source: theguardian.com
