Miles Briggs, MSP, has called for action to be taken to address the significant increase of children in temporary accommodation.
The number of children in temporary accommodation has risen dramatically in Edinburgh by 40% from 780 in March 2017 to 1,095 in March 2018 and by 33% in West Lothian from 315 in March 2017 to 420 in March 2018.
The average number of days for children living in temporary accommodation is 290 in Edinburgh and 206 in West Lothian.
This makes up a significant portion of the number of households in temporary accommodation. Temporary accommodation is provided by the council and could be in a flat, house, bedsit, hostel or as a last resort a bed and breakfast hotel (link).
Homelessness for children can have a significant negative impact on mental health, physical health and educational attainment. Homeless children are three to four times more likely to have mental health problems, even after a year of being rehoused (link).
Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has written to the Minister for Housing to ask what actions are being taken to reverse this worrying trend. He said: “This drastic rise of children in temporary accommodation is deeply concerning and a trend that we need to reverse.
“Ultimately the lack of affordable accommodation will be a big factor in families being stuck in temporary accommodation. This situation should never have been allowed to get this bad and urgent action is needed get children out of temporary accommodation into permanent homes.”
Maybe worth having a word with your Westminster colleagues, Miles? – Ed
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