One in four families with young children do not have enough space to safely play.
New research from Home-Start London highlights the realities of parenting in the housing crisis across London, including in Camden and Islington.
For families with babies and toddlers, having enough safe space to move, explore and play is an important part of early development. Yet for many families experiencing London’s housing crisis, even this basic need is becoming difficult to meet, with housing provisions that are too small, unsafe or unsuitable.
The stories and experiences of 350 Home-Start families with children aged 0–5 across London showed that:
- A quarter, 25%, said their child does not have enough safe space to crawl, play or move around. Rising to 32% among families living in temporary accommodation.
- 29% of families are living in overcrowded homes, and 20% are living with damp, mould or pests, with these problems even more common among families living in social housing.
- 42% of families living with housing problems say they are harming their mental health and 30% said they are making it harder for them to parent.
Home-Start Camden and Islington supports around 200 families and more than 500 children, through family group sessions and home-visits. Families say that having a trusted person alongside them can make a significant difference to their confidence and wellbeing. 88% of families reported improved mental health and wellbeing following Home-Start support, while 84% said they felt better able to support their child’s learning and development.
One parent described the value of having someone visit them regularly:
“I felt seen and cared for during the most difficult times of my life. Their support meant a lot to me. I was in a very dark place and they made me see a ray of light.”
‘Families should not have to face these challenges alone’.
Commenting on the study, Esther Sample, Director of Home-Start London, said:
“London’s housing crisis is taking more than a safe, affordable place to live away from families. Families are telling us that trying to solve their housing problems is a constant drain on their time and energy. Instead of time with their children, they are having to chase repairs, clean mould, or prepare to move for the third time in as many months. We heard from parents working hard to keep their families afloat, often through personal sacrifice and incredible determination and resourcefulness.
“This research shows the importance of emotional and practical support for families navigating incredibly difficult circumstances due to London’s housing crisis, alongside urgent action to improve housing supply, affordability and standards. Until every family has a safe place to live, families should not have to face these challenges alone.”
We are actively recruiting volunteers to help meet growing demand for support from local families. To find out more about volunteering or support please contact us directly at info@homestartcamden.org.