1 in 4 families supported by Home-Start in London say their child doesn’t have enough room to play or move around safely. Among families living in temporary or emergency accommodation, this rises to 1 in 3.
We just play in the front room. We’re just in the front room. So we sleep in the front room. We do everything in the front room because this is where the mould is less… So it’s both me and her, and we’re here on sofa beds.
Every child deserves a safe home where they can crawl, play, learn and develop. Yet nearly two-thirds of families (65%) are concerned about how their housing situation is affecting their children — particularly their safety (34%), health (30%) and learning and development (23%).
The Family Voices report highlights the hidden cost of London’s housing crisis, and the toll temporary accommodation, frequent moves, damp and overcrowded conditions are taking on families. 61% reported that their housing problems were affecting their mental health, and 43% said that it was making parenting harder.
A lot of the time, it makes me feel not good enough as a mother, that my daughter should deserve so much better because I should do better. Yes, it makes me feel very low. It sends me like into a spiral, and I’m really struggling. It sends me into a big spiral, and I’m struggling like get out, do anything, do things as simple as getting up.
Read the full report here.
Home-Start support has never been more important
Home-Start cannot solve the housing crisis, but we can help families navigate its impact.
Our volunteers provide a listening ear and an extra pair of hands, helping families feel less alone as they navigate the challenges ahead. We give parents the encouragement to keep going when they feel they have nothing left, and provide strength and reassurance to families – helping ensure children have the opportunity for a brighter, happier future.
The report highlights the significant impact of Home-Start support:
- 88% report improved mental health and wellbeing
- 85% feel more confident as parents
- 84% feel better able to support their child’s learning and development
- 90% have accessed additional support through Home-Start, with 71% saying they would not have known about this support without us.
What next
London’s housing crisis is a childhood crisis. But it doesn’t have to be.
Alongside calling for urgent action to improve housing standards and increase affordable housing in the capital, we would encourage policymakers in London to recognise the vital role that trusted, relationship-based support plays in helping families navigate the pressures of London’s housing crisis.
When we asked families what support they most needed most in the months ahead, emotional support to manage difficult circumstances came top (41%), followed by help with food and other essentials (36%) and housing support (34%).
By supporting parents through difficult times, Home-Start helps families build the strength and resilience they need to give their children the best possible start in life. While we work for a future where every family has a safe place to live, no family should have to face today’s challenges alone.
Read the full report here.
