Photo: Centre for Homelessness Impact / Jeff Hubbard
We’ve highlighted the impact of the housing crisis before – our Christmas campaign focused on families forced to live in emergency accommodation. Yet, instead of improving, the situation is worsening. More families than ever are trapped in temporary housing, struggling to find stability while others profit from their hardship.
Profits over people – are councils relying on a short-term fix of temporary accommodation while a select few grow rich?
According to government figures, more than 126,000 households were in temporary accommodation as of late 2024, including over 164,000 children (Gov.uk). This represents a sharp increase from the year before, highlighting a rapidly worsening crisis where solutions remain frustratingly slow to emerge.
Why temporary accommodation is a hidden crisis
Temporary accommodation represents a form of hidden homelessness – a segment of society who, while having a bed at night, still lack a stable place to call home. Families in this situation live in constant uncertainty, knowing they can be moved at short notice.
This insecurity is deeply harmful, creating a constant state of stress and anxiety for parents who simply want a safe place to raise their children. It also isolates families from support networks, schools, and jobs, severing the connections that are so vital to a sense of belonging and stability.
Living in temporary accommodation also means lacking the basic comforts of a permanent home. Many families have no access to a kitchen to prepare nutritious meals, relying instead on expensive takeaway food or microwave options.
The conditions in such accommodation can also be extremely poor, with issues like mould and dampness often going unaddressed because of the ‘temporary’ nature of these spaces. For children, this can mean missing out on a healthy, nurturing environment during their most formative years.
The impact on children’s education and future prospects
As we approach exam season, it is especially important to remember the children in temporary accommodation. For these young people, studying at home can be almost impossible. Cramped, noisy living spaces make it difficult to concentrate on homework or prepare for exams. Many lack access to a quiet place to study, reliable internet, or even a desk, putting them at a significant disadvantage compared to their peers.
Beyond the immediate academic challenges, these children are also less likely to take part in after-school clubs, sports, or simply spend time with friends – all vital parts of childhood that contribute to emotional wellbeing and personal growth. Research shows that children who move frequently or live in insecure housing are more likely to struggle academically and suffer from mental health issues.
They must overcome far more barriers than their peers to reach the same educational milestones, potentially affecting their long-term prospects and life chances.
The long-term impact on health and wellbeing
Temporary accommodation, sometimes referred to as emergency housing, is often seen as a quick fix for the UK’s chronic shortage of social housing. However, while intended as a short-term solution, it can become a long-term reality for many families.
Shockingly, some households have remained in temporary accommodation for years – one family has been in this precarious situation since 1998, while a 97-year-old has endured three years of homelessness housing (The Independent). This is a stark reminder that for too many, the promise of a stable, permanent home remains frustratingly out of reach.
This instability not only impacts mental health but also strains family relationships and reduces job prospects, trapping people in a cycle of poverty and insecurity.
Photo: Centre for Homelessness Impact / Jeff Hubbard
Profits over people – the commercialisation of temporary housing
Worryingly, recent reports also suggest that some private companies are making substantial profits from this growing demand for temporary housing. The Guardian recently highlighted how some individuals are benefiting from lucrative contracts with local authorities, with one British housing tycoon reportedly amassing significant wealth from the sector. This profit-driven approach can come at the expense of vulnerable families who are left with few alternatives.
The need for affordable, stable housing
The need for affordable, stable housing has never been clearer. We support all efforts to build more social housing and repurpose existing properties for social use, as this is the only sustainable way to address the root causes of homelessness. Currently, the UK faces a shortfall of over 4.3 million affordable homes, according to the National Housing Federation. Without a significant increase in genuinely affordable housing, we risk pushing even more families into the cycle of homelessness and temporary accommodation.
Acting now to secure a better future
It is essential that the government and local authorities act quickly and decisively to address this crisis, prioritising the needs of families over profit. The numbers are rising, and so too are the stakes for those affected. It is time forget sticking plaster solutions, and invest in real, long-term solutions that provide stability, security, and hope for the future.
At Church Homeless Charity, we remain committed to supporting those at risk of homelessness through grants that provide immediate relief and a pathway to a more secure future. But meaningful change requires systemic action – and that can only come from prioritising housing as a fundamental right for all.