Temporary Accommodation Linked to 55 Child Deaths in England
A review finds that living in temporary housing has been a contributing factor in the deaths of 55 children since 2019, sparking calls for urgent action.
- Between April 2019 and March 2023, 55 children, mostly under one year old, died in England where temporary accommodation was a contributing factor.
- The National Child Mortality Database and charity Shared Health highlight the preventable nature of these tragedies, emphasizing the need for improved living conditions.
- Conditions such as lack of sterilization, poor temperature regulation, and exposure to damp and mold have been identified as contributing factors.
- A record 142,490 children in England are currently legally defined as homeless, living in temporary accommodations like B&Bs, hostels, and hotels.
- Officials and charities call for the establishment of a task force and urge the government to address the housing crisis by building more social housing and regulating temporary accommodation.
Evening Standard 
The Guardian 