- Temporary accommodation in England is linked to the deaths of 104 children.
- Poor housing conditions create life-threatening environments for vulnerable families and infants.
- Advocates demand urgent government action to end the reliance on unsuitable housing.
Data indicates that 104 children in England died over six years with temporary accommodation as a contributing factor. Of these young victims, 76 were under one year old. This information was compiled by an all-party parliamentary group using the National Child Mortality Database.
Research from the University of Oxford reveals further tragedies among mothers in these settings. In 2024, there were 64 stillbirths and 27 neonatal deaths. These figures represent approximately 3 percent of the 3,303 baby deaths recorded during that specific period.
Currently, about 135,000 households reside in temporary housing, including nearly 176,000 children. Between October 2023 and September 2025, 140 children died while living in such residences. These cases are undergoing review to see if housing contributed to their deaths.
A separate committee report describes some of these dwellings as unfit for human habitation. Families face hazards like rats and mould, often lacking cooking facilities. There is frequently no space for children to do homework or learn to walk.
Critics argue these avoidable deaths result from political choices and broken systems. They claim the government spends heavily on temporary housing without monitoring quality. Experts call this a normalised emergency that requires immediate, sustained intervention to protect lives.
The government aims to eradicate poor-quality accommodation through its Child Poverty Strategy. Minister Alison McGovern mentioned the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. This legislation intends to identify and support vulnerable children so they do not fall through cracks.
Advocates urge the government to stop using B&Bs and shared housing by the end of parliament. They are calling for mandatory inspections of all temporary units. Such steps are seen as essential to prevent further preventable fatalities among homeless families.
