Mark Whitehead 19 April 2023

‘Broken’ housing system forcing 310,000 children to share beds

‘Broken’ housing system forcing 310,000 children to share beds  image
Image: I Wei Huang / Shutterstock.com.

More than 310,000 children in England are forced to share beds with other family members because of overcrowding, according to housing campaigners.

The National Housing Federation says its research shows that one in every six children are being forced to live in cramped conditions with no personal space.

It says the housing system in England is ‘broken’ because of underfunding by successive governments, and is calling for an ‘urgent, long term, national plan’ to increase the number of affordable and social homes.

The federation says the findings demonstrate ‘grave structural inequalities in our society’, with families from ethnic minority backgrounds three times more likely to be affected by overcrowding than white households.

In just under half (41%) of overcrowded homes, children or teenagers are sharing a bedroom with their parents.

Kate Henderson, the federation’s chief executive, said: ‘Overcrowding is a direct result of our broken housing system, caused by underfunding by successive governments and a failure to prioritise building new homes for people on low incomes.

‘As a country, we are failing these families and these children and this must stop.

‘We need an urgent, long term, national plan aimed at drastically increasing the number of affordable and social homes across England.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Graduate Trainee Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

North Yorkshire Council
£25,183 - £30,559
Could you help us deliver Electric Vehicle infrastructure to support this new transformation mode of transport. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Contracts and Strategy Officer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£41,442 - £44,331
Royal Greenwich is on the up! Having achieved a 3.8% increase in our recycling rate this year Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

Senior Developer

Royal Borough of Greenwich
£52,584 - £69,068
Royal Greenwich is a vibrant borough, with a rich history and diverse community. Greenwich, London (Greater)
Recuriter: Royal Borough of Greenwich

SEND Operations Assistant - 2 year FTC

Essex County Council
£25081 - £26679 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
SEND Operations AssistantFixed Term, Full Time£25,081 to £26,679 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Welfare Benefits & Money Advice Caseworker

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Band E SCP 18-25 (£30,559 - £35,235 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a skilled individual to join our Welfare Rights Team Sandwell, West Midlands
Recuriter: Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Linkedin Banner