THE number of children trapped in temporary accommodation has continued to soar, according to new government statistics released today.

There were 127,890 households in temporary accommodation as of December 31 2024 — an increase of 13.6 per cent compared to the same time the previous year.

Among them were 165,510 dependent children, marking a 13.7 per cent rise.

The report revealed that the arrangement is often far from short-term, and that the most common length of time families with children spend in temporary accommodation is more than five years.

It said that 83,800 households were initially assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness and owed a statutory homelessness duty in October to December 2024.

The most common reason for households to be owed prevention duty — the legal obligation of local authorities to prevent homelessness — was the end of a private assured shorthold tenancy. This accounted for some 36.5 per cent of cases.

The number of households accepted as owed homelessness duty was up 9.3 per cent to 17,690, compared to October to December 2023.

Generation Rent campaign group’s Dan Wilson Craw said: “More and more children are spending their formative years trapped living in temporary accommodation, often in overcrowded and unsafe conditions and at huge cost to local authorities. This is a national scandal that demands government action. 

“The government’s housebuilding programme is welcome, but will take years to have a noticeable impact. 

“People need change now. It must intervene to slam the brakes on soaring rents, while also unfreezing Local Housing Allowance so those on low incomes have more options in finding a home.”

Homelessness Minister Rushanara Ali said the government is investing a record £1 billion to crucial homelessness services this year.