FIFTEEN children in Redditch will be living in temporary accommodation this Christmas according to new figures from the homeless charity Shelter.
Across the West Midlands the figure is a shocking 4,828 with many families living in single room bed and breakfasts or hostels.
Locally, neighbouring Bromsgrove will have a staggering 43 children in temporary accommodation this Christmas, says the charity, while Worcester will have 64 and Stratford on Avon 49.
Shelter says across Britain one in every 111 children is currently homeless, and with a worsening housing crisis, 2017 has seen the highest numbers of homeless children in a decade.
Shelter Birmingham Hub manager, Vicky Hines said: “It’s a national scandal that the number of homeless children in Britain has risen every year for the last decade. No child should have to spend Christmas without a home – let alone almost 5,000 children in West Midlands.
“Many of us will spend Christmas Day enjoying all of the festive traditions we cherish, but sadly it’ll be a different story for those children hidden away in cramped B&Bs or hostel rooms.
“That’s why our frontline advisers will continue to work tirelessly to help more families fighting homelessness. But we can’t do this alone. We’re asking people to help a homeless family and make giving to Shelter their new Christmas tradition.”
To support Shelter’s urgent Christmas appeal please visit www.shelter.org.uk or text SHELTER to 70080 to donate £3.
