By Sean Weston.
There has been a 43% raise of homeless children in Kirklees, according to homeless charity Shelter.
In 2014, there were 566 homeless children in Kirklees. In 2019, there are currently 810. An extra 310 children will become homeless between 12th December and Christmas Day.
Whilst homeless legislation means that the majority of children won’t sleep rough, Shelter has stated that families in temporary accommodation are located miles away from loved ones, jobs and schools, having very little space to prepare and eat meals and are forced to share bathrooms with strangers.
Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “The fact 10 children in Yorkshire become homeless every day is a scandalous figure and a 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 region.”
He added: “While they’re being uprooted from friends and moved into insecure temporary accommodation, their parents are left with the agony of not knowing when their children will have a stable place to call home again.
“Every child has the right to a safe home and if we act now, our front line advisers can support more homeless families in Yorkshire to get to a better place. Every donation will help Shelter to be there for everyone who need us this Christmas.”
To donate to Shelter’s urgent Christmas appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70030 to donate £3.
Texts cost your standard network rate + £3. Shelter receives 100% of your donation.