More than 164,000 children are now experiencing homelessness in temporary accommodation. That’s the highest number ever recorded.
The new report puts forward key recommendations to turn things around, from raising standards in temporary housing to building more truly affordable homes. Many of these changes can’t happen without the support of the property industry.
Why this matters to our industry
The Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee has called for urgent reforms that speak directly to the built environment and the environment it operates in. These aren’t just policy tweaks. They are structural shifts that call for better housing, smarter planning, and real commitment to long-term solutions.
From developers to landlords, planners to investors, the property industry has a critical role to play. Here are some of the key recommendations that affect us most:
1. Boost the supply of affordable and social housing – The report repeats calls for 1.5 million new homes to be delivered during this Parliament, with a strong focus on genuinely affordable housing. It’s a bold target and one that simply cannot be met without the expertise, innovation and will of the property sector.
2. Expand support for local authority-led housing – Councils need more funding and flexibility to build or acquire their own temporary accommodation. This would reduce the reliance on costly, unsuitable, and often poor-quality nightly-paid options.
3. Enforce quality standards in temporary accommodation – It is recommended that local authorities should be required to inspect every unit of temporary accommodation before first use, and whenever a new resident moves in. That means property providers will need to meet clear, consistent standards – and be ready to prove it.
4. Shift away from B&Bs and unsafe placements – Advice that the Government should monitor and enforce the legal six-week limit on using B&Bs for families. Safeguarding is a priority, especially for children housed in shared settings with adults who may pose a risk.
A wake-up call – and a chance to lead
The report doesn’t just shine a light on what’s wrong. It offers a framework for how things could be done better. And it’s clear: the property sector has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead that change.
At LandAid, we’re already working with property partners to fund and create safe, secure accommodation for young people facing homelessness. But to make lasting change, we need the industry to stay informed, engaged, and vocal.
If you work in property, this is your moment to listen, to advocate, and to act.
Read the full report and explore how your organisation could be part of the solution.
Because ending youth homelessness isn’t just a government responsibility. It’s a challenge, and an opportunity, for us all.