Barnardos reports on the devastating impact being homeless has on children and families as the latest figures released this morning indicate 3,048 children registered as homeless at the end of August
Posted on Friday 29 September 2017 in Press Releases, Advocacy
I cried for the first two weeks in there, I sobbed my heart out in the bathroom. It makes you feel like a failure as a mother.
Barnardos reports on the devastating impact being homeless has on children and families as the latest figures released this morning indicate 3,048 children registered as homeless at the end of August - yet again record breaking numbers.
June Tinsley, Head of Advocacy, Barnardos said: "The number of children registered as homeless has passed the 3,000 mark - a number we had naively hoped would somehow act as a ceiling for this escalating tragedy which does not seem to be coming to an end. The experience of being homeless - of living in emergency accommodation, is hugely detrimental to a child's wellbeing. Parents that we work with are reporting high levels of anxiety in their children as they try to cope with a life of uncertainty. These experiences and memories will stick with these children forever. Every day in homelessness is a day too long for a child.
"We see the parents struggle as they try desperately to maintain a sense of normality for their children whilst feeling helpless, guilty and inadequate. The pressure is immense:
I cried for the first two weeks in there, I sobbed my heart out in the bathroom. It makes you feel like a failure as a mother. Because when you were that age you remember growing up in your home. From a mother's point of view you look at your children and you think 'I can't even give you a home.'
Parent in emergency accomodation
"We spoke with one family recently who have lived in four different hotels since recently becoming homeless, desperately trying to create a sense of home with each move.
Walking by our old home - it kills me. The new people are in it now and it is getting all painted and it is heart breaking to see it - that was our home.
Parent in emergency accomodation
"As rents continue to rise, particularly in the capital, the likelihood of more families becoming homeless increases. Supports such as HAP offer relief for families unable to afford rent, but we hear from parents across our services that they simply can't find a landlord that will accept HAP. The current policies are clearly not working. We need clear and strong action from the government to end this crisis once and for all."
