A new report highlights how the housing crisis is damaging young people’s lives, reports Daisy Miles
Across Newham some schools are performing well and, in some cases, scoring above the national averages in exams, but for many young people the Borough’s housing crisis is having a “detrimental impact” on their education, according to a new report.
Citizens UK, a charity focussed on fighting inequality, launched the report The Impact of inadequate housing on educational experience: A pilot study in Newham on 19 June at St Anthony’s Primary School, Forest Gate.
The study heard testimonies from children aged up to 18 and their families about their experiences of social housing and temporary accommodation, and how this impacts their school lives.
Citizen UK described Newham as being “at the epicentre of the UK’s housing emergency”, and that families in housing need feel “abandoned by statutory authorities”.
They found the housing crisis has “a detrimental impact on every aspect of [children’s] lives including their ability to play, learn, study, socialise with friends and more generally thrive in their home”.
They highlight overcrowding and a lack of privacy as key issues affecting family members in the housing crisis, impacting the health and well-being of all involved.
The report found that local schools and social workers play a vital role in supporting children and their families through difficulties including the housing crisis.
St Anthony’s music teacher Nathan Chan spoke of “children disappearing overnight” from his classes due to relocation in temporary accommodation.
Emmanuel Gotra, Assistant Director of Citizen UK, said he believes the responsibility should not be on teachers, considering spending cuts on schools in recent years.
Gotra said the former MP and current candidate for East Ham Sir Stephen Timms was “very helpful” with the report and gave testimony. “He has seen these issues first hand, from the people he’s met at MP surgeries,” he said.
He also said Newham’s Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz has been “very supportive” and has collaborated with Citizens UK to plan an “ambitious” employment and inclusion initiative.
Gotra added that Citizens UK and Mayor Fiaz wanted social housing to be built on the site formerly designated for the MSG Sphere before plans were quashed by the Mayor of London earlier this year.
The report lists recommendations to support children in the housing crisis including a collaboration between the London Borough of Newham and central government to increase socially rented housing in the Borough.
The full report led by Dr Penny Bernstock is now available on Citizen UK’s website.
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