While the cost-of-living increase has affected families across the country, low-income Londoners have been particularly hard hit. 33% of all children in our city, – that is 700,000 children- live below the poverty line. A severe housing shortage and the highest childcare costs in the country are the main causes of poverty in London. And yet, it’s not always visible. So, it’s perhaps not surprising that recent research found that just 1 in 10 Londoners know how many children are living in poverty in the capital.
Home Start volunteers are only too aware of the damaging consequences of poverty and homelessness on children and their families. They see the physical and mental health consequences of the highest levels ever of homelessness in the city with 183,000 Londoners – and that includes 90,000 children – living in temporary accommodation.
Although the rise in the cost of living and exorbitant childcare costs are contributing factors, housing costs -driven by a severe housing shortage – are the main driver behind spiralling poverty rates in London. Housing uncertainty is widespread and no-fault evictions from private rented accommodation have been rising. All while 300,000 Londoners are on waiting lists for social housing. Furthermore, there is a benefit cap of £25,323 for a family in the capital, including housing benefit. In boroughs like Chelsea, Westminster or Camden that amount wouldn’t even cover the annual rent for a family. Let alone feed them too. More than 70% of those affected by the cap are single parent families.
The consequences of London’s housing crisis are horrendous and wide-reaching. It locks families in poverty and damages their physical and mental health. Most seriously, it takes its toll on children, not just in the now but throughout their teenage years and adulthood. Local authorities have a duty to provide accommodation for families on low income. With a severe shortage of social housing and less private rentals available for low-income families, local authorities resort to housing families in hotels and B&Bs.
One of the families I used to support had to leave their privately rented flat -which had severe mould- because the landlord demanded a £200 monthly rent increase. They could not survive on the money left and the council rehoused them in a hotel. Over several months, they were moved to 4 hotels, none had cooking facilities, and eventually to a more spacious flat in a borough an hour and a half travel from the children’s school.
Their food costs increased dramatically as well as travel costs. The stress on the mother and the children was enormous. Most of their belongings were in storage and the children were without toys or books.
Stays in temporary accommodation have a profound impact on families’ health and wellbeing. And the costs to society are huge. There are health risks such as obesity, diabetes and dental caries, but mental health- leading to depression and isolation- is also affected. Often education will be interrupted which can damage the life chances of young people. Parents on low incomes and in temporary housing are rarely able to go on outings or holidays. Poverty denies children chances to try new things and develop interests through extra-curricular activities because they are too expensive.
Can London become a city with a reasonable quality of life for low-income families? To build more social housing must be the top priority. A change in the benefits cap for Londoners would help those families who are renting from private landlords. The controversial two-child benefit limit applies to 67 000 households in London, affecting 200 000 children. Changes in both benefits could make a substantial difference to tens of thousands of families. When Sadiq Khan won the mayoral election in May 2024 for another term, he announced his universal primary free schools meals policy will be extended the full length of his term. Research shows that the greatest benefits of the policy-albeit small- are felt by those families living on low incomes. Tackling poverty in the capital is a MUST; if every child is meant to do his/her best in life and become an active and skilled contributor to our economy, then poverty reduction is the only answer.
Article by Kara Hope