LATEST government figures show that over 2,000 children in the South West are homeless and living in temporary accommodation.
The new statistics recorded at the end of September mean that, across Britain, nearly 85,000 children now face the reality of waking up homeless this Christmas morning.
Shelter is warning that as the rising cost of living and cuts to the housing safety net continue to take their toll, many more parents are likely to find themselves facing an ongoing struggle to keep a roof over their children's heads.
The charity has launched an emergency fundraising appeal to support its work with homeless children this Christmas.
Due to welfare cuts and the soaring cost of housing it is increasingly difficult for local authorities to source suitable self-contained temporary accommodation, leaving many with no choice but to place families in B&Bs or hostels. The charity is therefore calling for temporary accommodation to be exempt from the benefit cap, to prevent more children from facing these conditions.
To support Shelter's emergency Christmas appeal visit shelter.org.uk or text HOME to 87080 and donate £3 to answer a call for help.
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