A staggering one in 30 children in Brighton and Hove are living in temporary accommodation after becoming homeless.
The city has the second highest rates of child homelessness outside London according to figures released by homeless shelter charity, with only Luton exceeding this rate.
The figures are based on the number of children in temporary accommodation in March last year – in Brighton, 1,821 children were being housed by the city council in either emergency or temporary accommodation.
However, the council says most of this housing is high quality, individual flats and houses and no children are in shared accommodation for longer than six weeks.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The fact 183 children become homeless every day is a scandalous figure and sharp reminder that political promises about tackling homelessness must be turned into real action.
“Day in, day out we see the devastating impact the housing emergency is having on children across the country. They are being uprooted from friends; living in cold, cramped B&Bs and going to bed at night scared by the sound of strangers outside.”
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesperson said this week: “The Shelter report refers to children who are living in temporary or B&B accommodation.
“The shortage of affordable permanent accommodation is both a local and national issue.
“We always offer accommodation to anyone who we have a duty to house.
“Most of our temporary accommodation consists of good quality, individual flats and houses that provide good long-term temporary accommodation.
“In line with national regulations, we do not have any families in accommodation with shared facilities for longer than six weeks.
“We would underline that the Shelter report does not refer to children rough sleeping.
“Our housing team works closely with our children’s services to make sure children are never forced to rough sleep in our city.
“If anyone has any concerns about the welfare of a child, please call our helpline on 01273 290400 or email FrontDoorforFamilies@brighton-hove.gov.uk.”
” the council says most of this housing is high quality”. “Most high quality” What is most 51%?” is NOT acceptable. The quality of ALL accommodation purchased from private providers by the council should be AT LEAST the same quality as the council would provide itself. The council willfully turns a blind eye to pitifully low standards of accommodation provided by private hostels that the councils pays millions to each year. Troublingly cosy relationships between council officers and the slum landlords persists. Revolting, shabby, chipped, soiled, stained, grimy, tired, unmodernized slums we would not keep dogs in is readily sponsored buy this council. It is a complete racket that needs to be investigated.