Number of children in temporary accommodation 'quite worrying'

A total of 1,320 children aged under 16 and 98 young people aged 18 to 21 were placed in temporary homes, such as bed and breakfasts, by Haringey Council between July 1 2013 and June 30 2014.

The figure was given to Liberal Democrat councillor Gail Engert by Haringey Council.

Labour councillor Alan Strickland blamed the current government for the figure, while Liberal Democrat leader Sarah Elliott said the council should have built more council homes, adding the figure was “quite worrying”.

Cllr Strickland, cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said Westminster’s capping of local government borrowing had curbed the council’s plans to build affordable housing.

He said: "Haringey Labour Council is determined to deliver affordable housing and we have committed to 1000 new affordable homes in the borough.

"We have made a clear commitment to build 250 new council houses. However, by capping our ability to borrow, the Tory/Lib Dem government have stopped us from building the number of council houses our residents need.

"The Government's policies and their slashing of the national housing budget mean that housebuilding is at its lowest level in this country for decades."

Cllr Elliott drew attention to the council’s failure to replace sold council homes and said housing children should be “top priority”.

She said: “These figures are quite worrying, particularly when you think that some children may be left in temporary homes for months waiting for something permanent to become available. Finding permanent homes for these children should be a top priority.

“It would be easier to house these children if there were more council homes. The Liberal Democrats have been calling on the Labour to build more council homes for years.

“It is not acceptable that Haringey’s Labour council last built a new council home 26 years ago while in the last two years 250 council homes in Haringey were lost due to right to buy.”