New government statistics have exposed a deepening housing crisis in the West Midlands, with the number of children living in temporary accommodation soaring to more than 16,500.
Sharp Rise in Households and Children in Limbo
Official data collected for the period between April 1 and June 30, 2025, reveals that 8,820 households in the region were residing in temporary housing. This marks a significant nine per cent increase from the 8,120 households recorded during the same quarter in 2024.
The most alarming figure concerns the youngest and most vulnerable. The data shows that 16,580 children were living in this unstable accommodation at the end of June. This represents a stark 13 per cent annual rise from the 14,730 children in the same situation last year.
Regional Displacement and Homelessness Statistics
The scale of the problem places the West Midlands as the third worst-affected region in England, trailing only behind London and the South East. The disruption to families is further highlighted by the fact that 880 households were placed in temporary accommodation outside their local authority area.
In a contrasting trend, the number of households officially classed as homeless or at imminent risk saw a decrease. The figures show 7,460 in this category, a seven per cent drop from the previous year.
Political Response and Pledges for Change
Confronting the issue, West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker has established a target to build 2,000 social homes a year by 2028. This initiative forms the core of his 'Homes for Everyone' priority.
This ambition received a recent boost with a Government announcement of £1.7 billion in funding for the region, intended to enable the construction of at least 10,000 homes over the coming decade.
Following the funding news, Mayor Parker stated: "For too long there's been chronic underinvestment in social and affordable housing. That's blighted thousands of West Midlands families who have been left struggling to pay expensive private sector rents or stuck in temporary accommodation that can often be poor quality." He affirmed that helping these families into safe and affordable homes is the cornerstone of his housing policy.
