The number of children who are homeless and in temporary accommodation this Christmas will hit an eight-year year high, according to analysis by a leading housing charity.
Shelter predicted more than 120,000 kids are likely to find themselves in this situation, with figures up 12% on a year ago (the highest since 2007 when 133,000 children were in this situation).
The rising cost and shortage of housing, coupled with budget cuts is the root of the problem, according to Shelter’s report. Other data shows homelessness is a growing concern: there was a 33% rise in homelessness between 2010 and 2015, according to Shelter analysis of the latest official data. Additionally, government figures show record numbers of families are being evicted by private landlords and finding themselves unable to afford a suitable alternative place to live.
So, given these stark statistics, we want you to document your experiences of homelessness with us. Have you been evicted or are you worried about falling back on rent? Have you been sofa surfing or staying in temporary accommodation? Perhaps you’ve slept rough some nights? Tell us about your daily lives and your biggest challenges. You can share photos and stories with us via the form below and we will use a selection in our reporting.
