LONDON, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A shortage of affordable housing in England has left an estimated 130,000 children homeless over the holidays.
The latest figure marks a 128 percent increase in the past decade, said Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps. Lawmakers say they are troubled by the number of families that lack a permanent roof over their heads, The Independent reported Sunday.
"For 130,000 homeless children in England, this Christmas is unlikely to be much fun," Shapps said, citing a new report. "Lack of permanent accommodation can have an absolutely devastating impact on a child's health and development."
The report, he said, calls on the government to focus more on reasons that lead to homelessness and to recognize the homeless "will face special challenges" that could be long-term, the newspaper said.
Shapps said a homeless child is twice as likely as a child with a stable address to be admitted to a hospital emergency room, four times as likely to have respiratory infections and six times as likely to suffer speech impediments.
"We recognize more needs to be done on this issue but we are improving our performance," said a spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government.
