Record Number of Homeless Children: Step by Step Calls for Action
New figures released today show that 172,420 children in England are living in temporary accommodation, the highest number since consistent records began in 2004. The statistics, highlighted by Just Fair, reveal the human cost of the UK’s deepening housing crisis and the urgent need to treat safe housing as a fundamental right.
While these numbers focus on families and younger children, Step by Step warns that the impact extends far beyond childhood. Many of the young people the charity supports have grown up in unsecure accommodation, experienced multiple moves, or come from families living in temporary housing. This instability often continues into early adulthood, affecting education, employment, and wellbeing.
“Behind every statistic is a young person whose life has been uprooted, families moving from place to place, children changing schools multiple times, losing stability and confidence. By the time they reach us, many have already lived in unsecure accommodation or chaotic home environments. At Step by Step, we see the lasting impact that instability has on education, wellbeing and opportunity. If we want to change these numbers, we must take a stand against youth homelessness and invest in keeping children safe and settled before crisis hits.”
Debbie Moreton, Chief Executive, Step by Step
Every night, Step by Step provides safe accommodation and wraparound support for up to 220 young people aged 16–24 across Hampshire, Dorset, Surrey, Wiltshire, West Berkshire and West Sussex. The charity’s Foyers, Supported Lodgings and counselling services help young people rebuild their confidence and independence after crisis, teaching life skills, promoting wellbeing, and supporting education and employment.
Step by Step has worked in partnership with the University of Southampton to research long-term solutions to youth homelessness. The findings highlight the need for Universal Credit parity for care leavers, earlier intervention funding, and extended local authority duties to bridge the gap between children’s and adult services. Sustained investment in supported accommodation was also shown to save money long-term by reducing repeat homelessness and pressure on crisis services.
“The record number of children without a stable home should be a wake-up call,” Debbie continued. “If we don’t act now, many of those children will grow up to become the young people we see turning to us for help. We can break that cycle, but only if we invest early — in secure homes, life skills, and fair support.”
Step by Step is calling for urgent change; fairer Universal Credit for care leavers, investment in early intervention, and stronger local authority duties so no young person falls through the gap between children’s and adult services. We know that supported accommodation and wraparound care not only change lives but prevent crisis long-term.
But we cannot do this alone. Everyone has a role to play in breaking the cycle of youth homelessness; by raising awareness, supporting campaigns, or getting involved in our work.
Join us in taking a stand.
Visit our Get Involved page to find out how you can support young people on their journey to independence.
