Report Finds Children Harmed By Homelessness System In Scotland

Shelter Scotland did a study. It shows kids are missing out on childhood, highlighting the urgent need for action on the housing crisis to protect children from harm.

Kids in temporary housing told their stories. They described moldy beds, urine-soaked carpets, dead rats, and broken windows, painting a truly awful picture of their living conditions.

Last year, the government counted over 16,000 households in temporary housing, including more than 10,000 children. Think about the scale of this problem.

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, stated that the findings should make us ashamed, believing that we fail kids in this system. Every child deserves a safe home, she emphasized.

Homelessness for a child shouldn’t be scary; yet, many face endless problems. Temporary housing should be a safety net, but instead, it can cause new crises.

The study reveals this as a common issue, with children often having bad experiences. Government figures released last month showed that homelessness cases increased by 4%.

Watson urged the government to act now to shield kids from further harm. The children have shared their painful stories, demanding quick action from us all.

Kids talked of violence and rodents around them. They felt alone and sick and faced money issues, as their families couldn’t find homes alone and needed local help.

Schooling can also be affected due to frequent school moves and long journeys. This hurts their education and growth, which is simply wrong.

The report calls for more social homes that better fit families. Temporary housing needs to be much better, and support for these kids is vital.

Scotland declared a housing emergency last May. Experts from two universities led the study, entitled “In Their Own Words,” which focuses on kids in temporary housing.

Paul McLennan, Scotland’s housing minister, stated the report shows a big impact, noting that poor temporary homes hurt both kids and parents; he says the government is taking action now.

Next year’s budget includes a boost for affordable housing, with a total investment of nearly 770 million. They are working to use that money well.