In her first public interview since today’s report into child deaths in temporary accommodation was released, Alexia Murphy has said that she does not want to see these statistics every year.
With more money to tackle homelessness recently announced from the UK government, City News asked Murphy what the solution is to reduce the numbers in temporary accommodation.
‘Provide more permanent homes’
Murphy said: “Provide more permanent homes for them. A lot of money is going in London particularly. I think it’s over a billion pound being spent on temporary accommodation this year.”
According to government statistics from December 2024, London Boroughs have some of the worst homeless figures in the country.
“Costs are high, accommodation is there’s there is a shortage and demand is high. London boroughs tend to be small.”
The capital also have 330,000 families on the social housing waiting list with 180,000 individuals living in temporary accommodation.
“There tends to be finite amounts of property in those borough boundaries. I do think the pressures are higher in London than I see elsewhere. We’re not going to magic the thousands of homes quickly out of thin air.”
“Many of the families in those in that temporary accommodation will have children, will have babies. Much of that accommodation is good and some of it is not good.”
Depaul UK advocate for people who are homeless to ensure they have the financial and housing support they need.
Murphy said that she was “heartbroken by [the] statistics…that one baby a month has temporary accommodation or temporary housing on their death certificate.”
“There should be an immediate target of zero around babies and children dying in temporary accommodation or having temporary accommodation listed as a cause on their death on their death certificate”.
Young people who are homeless and need emergency accommodation can contact Depaul UK.
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StandfirstDepaul UK's Alexia Murphy is 'heartbroken' at the statistics.
In her first public interview since today’s report into child deaths in temporary accommodation was released, Alexia Murphy has said that she does not want to see these statistics every year.
With more money to tackle homelessness recently announced from the UK government, City News asked Murphy what the solution is to reduce the numbers in temporary accommodation.
‘Provide more permanent homes’
Murphy said: “Provide more permanent homes for them. A lot of money is going in London particularly. I think it’s over a billion pound being spent on temporary accommodation this year.”
According to government statistics from December 2024, London Boroughs have some of the worst homeless figures in the country.
“Costs are high, accommodation is there’s there is a shortage and demand is high. London boroughs tend to be small.”
The capital also have 330,000 families on the social housing waiting list with 180,000 individuals living in temporary accommodation.
“There tends to be finite amounts of property in those borough boundaries. I do think the pressures are higher in London than I see elsewhere. We’re not going to magic the thousands of homes quickly out of thin air.”
“Many of the families in those in that temporary accommodation will have children, will have babies. Much of that accommodation is good and some of it is not good.”
Depaul UK advocate for people who are homeless to ensure they have the financial and housing support they need.
Murphy said that she was “heartbroken by [the] statistics…that one baby a month has temporary accommodation or temporary housing on their death certificate.”
“There should be an immediate target of zero around babies and children dying in temporary accommodation or having temporary accommodation listed as a cause on their death on their death certificate”.
Young people who are homeless and need emergency accommodation can contact Depaul UK.
Residents and workers in the City of London are expressing concerns over the lack of outdoor spaces for sports and recreation, highlighting a growing need for accessible facilities in the local area.
