ITV News: Councils Leave Vulnerable Children, Four and Up, Street-Bound
Recent investigations by El-Balad reveal a troubling situation in the UK, where local councils are leaving vulnerable children, some as young as four, without shelter. This alarming trend places families with children and pregnant mothers at serious risk, as they are increasingly being denied emergency accommodation.
Rising Homelessness Among Families
Approximately 100 homeless individuals, including families with children, have sought assistance from the charity Crisis after being turned away by local authorities. Families in cities like London and Birmingham have reported sleeping on the streets or in their cars after their requests for help were denied.
Matt Downie, CEO of Crisis, expressed deep concern over this trend, stating, “We’ve started to see something we’ve never seen before: children having to sleep rough in this country.”
Individual Case Studies
- Family from London: A family with five children spent nearly two weeks sleeping on the streets after being refused accommodation by their local council.
- Family from Birmingham: A mother and her three children lived in their car after being denied temporary housing by Birmingham City Council.
In each case, local councils cited a lack of obligation to provide emergency housing, despite legal requirements prioritizing households with children for accommodation.
Legal Responsibilities and Government Response
The law states that households with children have a priority need for temporary accommodation when they become homeless. If authorities are unclear about which entity should provide help, they are mandated to offer interim housing until the situation is resolved.
Homelessness Minister Alison McGovern stated, “No child should be sleeping on the streets. Each instance where this occurs is a failure of the system.” She confirmed that she will be writing to councils to remind them of their responsibilities in ensuring the safety of vulnerable children.
Statistical Overview
Recent statistics underscore the severity of this issue:
- The number of rough sleepers increased by 20% last year, totaling 4,667 individuals, just below the 2017 peak.
- A record-high 172,420 children are currently living in temporary accommodation across England.
- Homelessness demand in certain boroughs has risen by 80% in just two years.
Conclusion
The situation highlights an urgent need for action from both local councils and the government. As cases of families being denied essential support continue to surface, the implications for children’s safety and well-being cannot be overstated. The community and authorities alike must strive to ensure that no child is left without a safe place to sleep.
