Select committee launches inquiry into experiences of children in temporary accommodation

In its first inquiry under this parliament, the Housing, Communities and Local Government (HCLG) Committee is to scrutinise the experiences of children and families in temporary accommodation and consider how temporary housing could be improved.

The inquiry is aimed at examining issues around the quality of temporary accommodation provision and pressures on local authority finances in England.

It will consider how children and families in temporary accommodation could be better supported by Government, local authorities, and accommodation providers.

This inquiry is the first since the Labour government was elected, and the third this calendar year. 

It will be initiated with an opening evidence session taking place on 5 November, which will include homelessness organisations and local authority stakeholders.

The committee has identified key points of interest for the inquiry, which will consider:

• The impact of temporary accommodation on children’s development, health and wellbeing;
• Housing quality in temporary accommodation;
• The use of B&Bs and other unsuitable temporary accommodation; and
• How the Government, local authorities, and accommodation providers could better support children and families living in temporary accommodation.

Florence Eshalomi MP, Chair of the HCLG Committee said: “The housing crisis means that families are increasingly being housed in sub-standard temporary accommodation, meaning children may spend years living in places which are not suitable or adequate to grow up in.

“Growing demand for accommodation is also impacting council finances, with local authorities seeing already desperately tight budgets further stretched by ever increasing temporary housing costs.

“I hope the Committee’s inquiry will bring forward practical solutions to help improve temporary accommodation and enable the Government, councils, and others, to take the steps needed to deliver stable and secure homes for families and children”.

Harry Rodd