Record Number of Homeless Children in Temporary Accommodation in Greater Manchester

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The number of homeless children living in temporary accommodation in Greater Manchester has soared to a record high, with figures painting a grim picture of a worsening housing crisis. Between January and March 2025, a staggering 8,651 children were recorded as homeless and residing in temporary accommodation across the region, according to data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). This marks a sharp rise from 7,896 in the three months to December 2024 and is more than double the 3,857 recorded in June 2019, when comparable council-level data first became available.

Manchester bears the brunt of this crisis, with 4,587 children classified as homeless and living in temporary accommodation in the city alone as of March 2025. This is an increase from 4,326 in the same period last year and a significant jump from 2,883 in June 2019. The city ranks second only to Birmingham, which reported 6,634 homeless children, as the local authority with the highest number of affected children outside London.

The spiralling figures highlight a persistent failure to address the root causes of homelessness, with families increasingly trapped in precarious living conditions. Temporary accommodation, often consisting of cramped B&Bs or hostels, is far from a long-term solution, yet the numbers continue to climb. The DLUHC data reveals that Greater Manchester’s councils are struggling to cope with demand, as the supply of affordable housing remains woefully inadequate.

In a recent interview with the Manchester Evening News, Joseph Elliott, Lead Analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, described the situation as a “worsening housing crisis” and urged for comprehensive strategies to tackle unaffordability and insecurity in the housing market. Despite promises from the government, critics argue that little progress has been made to alleviate the plight of vulnerable families. The reliance on temporary solutions, coupled with rising costs, led local authorities in Greater Manchester to spend over £75 million on temporary accommodation in 2023/24, underscoring the scale of the challenge.

The data also sheds light on the national picture, with 169,090 children living in temporary accommodation across England in the first quarter of 2025, up from 139,380 in June 2024.. This is the highest figure on record, reflecting a broader systemic issue that has seen homelessness among children more than double since 2010. While the number of families in B&Bs for over six weeks has slightly decreased, with 110 such households in Greater Manchester by March 2025, the overall trend remains deeply concerning.

As families face prolonged stays in unsuitable accommodation, the human cost is undeniable. Children are growing up without the stability of a permanent home, often far from schools, support networks, and communities. The government’s response, including measures like the Renters’ Rights Bill, has been met with scepticism by those who see it as insufficient to reverse years of underinvestment in social housing. With Manchester at the heart of this crisis, the need for bold, effective action has never been more urgent.