Record number of children are homeless, as Barnardos report highlights devastating impact of accommodation failings

"Barnardos, which supports vulner­able children, said this is directly damaging their childhoods as they are found to be exposed to dirty, cold, damp and unsafe environments while living in emergency accommodation. The charity's staff are reporting ­housing as a substantial issue for the families they support, and say the situation is worsening and ­affecting the well-being of children and their ­futures."

"A mother with two young children entered emergency accommodation - a cramped one-bedroom hotel room - after suddenly losing their home. Her older child, who was four at the time, had to give up his bedroom and home within a few weeks of his grandfather dying, which was traumatic for him. The hotel room the local authority ­provided to them had stained sheets and faeces on the curtains."

Almost one in five (18%) children supported by Barnardos live in unsuitable accommodation, including overcrowded and sub-standard homelessness housing. Children are exposed to dirty, cold, damp and unsafe environments in emergency accommodation. Staff report housing as a substantial and worsening issue that harms children's well-being and futures. Families and staff were interviewed about experiences over the past 18 months, with some details anonymised to protect identities. Examples include cramped one-bedroom hotel rooms with stained sheets and faeces on curtains, damp and mould exacerbating asthma, children woken by neighbours' domestic violence and drug use, and children wetting the bed after being forced to move.

Read at Irish Independent