Kids caught up in county’s “hidden homeless” problem

The extent of Herefordshire’s “hidden homelessness” problem, and its impact on small children, has been laid bare – and it’s getting worse.

The number of households with children aged under five in temporary accommodation tripled between March 2024 and March this year, from 18 families to 53, according to Herefordshire Council, which has a duty to house those at risk of homelessness in the county.

It revealed that 47 of those 53 families had been there for more than six weeks, while 28 – more than half – had been there for over six months.

And while a year ago none were housed in B&Bs, by this March that stood at 11 families.

Sam Gallear, family support worker with local social charity Vennture, has worked with one young family who have been stuck in a B&B since last August.

“They have been trying for housing through the council but without success – so many are bidding for each place,” she said.

“The daughter already had behavioural problems. They each need some space. They can’t even use the shower because it soaks the bed.”

Her colleague Dee Taylor has worked with another family with a pre-school child living above a pub, which was “completely unsuitable”.
Vennture’s lead executive Rob Thomas said this more “hidden” form of homelessness typically arises from tenancy evictions, domestic abuse or relationship breakdown.

The charity is now taking on a second, unnamed hotel in the city to house them. And though “not ideal”, Vennture works to ensure that such accommodation is “safe and well-purposed”, Mr Thomas said.

It also gained planning permission in October 2023 to turn a building, the former vicarage next to its Vicarage Road headquarters, into five flats for homeless families.

But Mr Thomas said this is being held up by council, as until it clarifies how it will refer families to the facility, and pay for them, social investors are unwilling to fund the work.

The £1.5-million project is just one in a “pipeline” of Vennture projects together worth over £7 million intended to relieve the strain on the county in this area, he added.

Herefordshire Council would not comment on specific housing schemes, but its spokesperson said: “We work closely with partner organisations to provide temporary and permanent accommodation for individuals and families.

“In line with government legislation there is a robust framework in place to ensure that a suitable standard is met and maintained by the accommodation providers.”