Child homelessness in Wandsworth highest in five years, Shelter reveal Post Reply

[Community Editor]

More than 2,500 homeless children will be living in temporary accommodation over the festive period in Wandsworth, the equivalent of five youngsters in every school, according to estimates by the homelessness charity, Shelter.

The charity estimates that 2,736 children in Wandsworth borough will wake up on Christmas morning without a permanent home, a 207 percent increase in the space of five years.

While Westminster, Haringey and Newham are the worst-affected local authorities in London, Wandsworth is 17th on the national list. According to the data, 4 percent of children will be without a home this winter. 

The new analysis from Shelter has found a 49 percent increase in London over the last five years.

An estimated, 87,310 children in London will now wake up on Christmas morning without a permanent home. In London, there are an average of 28 homeless children for every school. 

A Wandsworth Council spokesperson said:

"All councils in London are experiencing an increase in cases, although it is worth pointing out that these figures are not people sleeping rough on the streets, but essentially people residing in temporary accommodation with a roof over their heads while a permanent home is found for them.

The majority of the temporary accommodation we provide is in self-contained homes within this borough."

To support Shelter’s urgent appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70020 to donate £3.

Source: https://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk/ne ... ef=mr&lp=6
 

[Wandsworth Council]

Here is our full statement on this issue
 "All councils in London are experiencing an increase in cases, although it is worth pointing out that these figures are not people sleeping rough on the streets, but essentially people residing in temporary accommodation with a roof over their heads while a permanent home is found for them. The majority of the temporary accommodation we provide is in self-contained homes within this borough.
 "Here in Wandsworth we have approved a wide ranging package of measures, including buying and building new homes so we can ensure that people in genuine need receive help and support and can be offered permanent homes close to the areas they grew up in.

"We are also increasing the supply of affordable homes with 3,000 built over the past decade, another 1,700 due to be completed within the next three years and a target of 18,000 over the coming decade.”