Square Roots supports campaign to help children living in temporary accommodation

Key Workers Open Day at Square Roots Hendon

We’re supporting 165,000 Reasons, a national campaign to help tackle the rise in children living in temporary accommodation.

The campaign brings together councils, charities, housing associations, developers, investors, businesses and national policymakers. It calls for practical action to improve standards for families now, create faster routes into stable homes, and support long-term reform.  

Government figures show that 176,130 children in England are now living in temporary accommodation, up by more than 10,600 in a year.

When the 165,000 Reasons campaign first came together in 2025, more than 165,000 children were affected. That number has continued to rise, with the latest figures equal to roughly one child entering temporary accommodation every hour over the past 12 months. 

 

Behind these figures are children growing up without the stability of a permanent home with many living in overcrowded rooms, hotels, or B&Bs. Families can face repeated moves, disruption to school, poorer health, and a lack of security. 

Barbara Richardson, Managing Director, Square Roots, said:

“A stable home environment is the foundation for every child’s future. But for too many, temporary accommodation has become permanent, with children growing up in uncertainty and missing out on the basics they need.  

“Our goal is to build 10,000 affordable homes for London over the next decade; we have the capability and capacity to deliver but the challenge families and their children face is already here today.

“We need to work together on the deep challenges that housing faces to drive forward s practical, collective action – and 165,000 reasons – 165,000 children - provides the platform for collaboration and motivation to act now”

Square Roots is supporting the campaign alongside organisations including Shared Health Foundation, Clarion Housing Group, Vistry, L&Q Group, Starboard Hotels, Peabody and LandFirst. 

Find out more at 165000reasons.co.uk