165,000 Reasons Campaign Launched

Cratus Group launches 165,000 Reasons Campaign as latest Government figures show rising numbers of children in England are living in temporary accommodation.

Cratus Group is spearheading a new national umbrella campaign to tackle the growing crisis of children living in temporary accommodation, as Government data shows the number affected has risen to more than 165,000 across England.

The campaign, 165,000 Reasons, launches at UKREiiF in Leeds tomorrow (19 May). It is built on a simple belief: that no child’s home should be temporary.

When the group first came together in 2025, more than 165,000 children were living in temporary accommodation. The latest figures from MHCLG show that number has now risen to 176,130 – an increase of more than 10,600 in a year.

That’s equivalent to one child entering temporary accommodation roughly every hour over the past twelve months.

Behind these statistics are children growing up without the stability of a permanent home. Many living in overcrowded rooms, unsuitable housing, hotels, B&Bs or short-term placements, often facing repeated moves, disrupted education, poorer health outcomes, and the loss of the security they need to thrive.

To tackle this crisis, 165,000 Reasons is calling for unified action across councils, charities, housing associations, developers, investors, businesses, and national policymakers to find practical solutions to this urgent social challenge and end the reliance on temporary accommodation for children.

From increasing the supply of affordable homes, to improving the quality of temporary accommodation, retrofitting empty buildings and reforming national policy, the solutions exist. What is needed now is the collective will to act.

Nick Kilby, Founder and Chair of Cratus Group, said:

“No child’s home should be temporary. But for more than 165,000 children in England, that is the reality. This is not just a housing crisis. It is a childhood crisis. It affects health, education, family stability, council finances, and long-term life chances.

“165,000 Reasons is about turning concern into action. We need better standards now, faster routes into stable homes and long-term reform so fewer children are forced to grow up without a stable place to call home.

“There are 165,000 reasons to act. Every one of them is a child.”

One of the campaign’s first steps is to invite councils facing the most acute pressures to become early partners and adopt the 165,000 Reasons pledge. The pledge recognises the impact poor-quality temporary accommodation can have on children’s health, education, and wellbeing, and commits councils and partners to work together with national government to reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, improve standards and accelerate access to stable homes.

The campaign is supported by a growing coalition including Shared Health Foundation, Peabody, Clarion Housing Group, Vistry, L&Q Group, Starboard Hotels, Square Roots, and LandFirst. 

Dr Laura Neilson, Founder, Shared Health Foundation added:

 “Every child should have a home. A place where they are safe to sleep, to play, and to live. Temporary accommodation makes this almost impossible. Time and time again I see families moved away from their support networks, into unsuitable accommodation, that actively harms their health, wellbeing, and future life chances.”

“The commitments made in recent Government strategies mark a positive step forward in improving the lives of children in temporary accommodation. However, we must do more to ensure that the harms posed to these children are eradicated.”

“Over 165,000 children are living in temporary accommodation, meaning there are over 165,000 reasons to take action and finally stop this scandal. I am pleased to support this cross-sector campaign to ensure that no more children must suffer the consequences of this crisis.”

Ian McDermott, Chief Executive of Peabody and Chair of the G15 said:

“A good home is the foundation for a child’s health, wellbeing and future opportunities. But for too many families, temporary accommodation has become anything but temporary, with children growing up in uncertainty and missing out on the basics they need to thrive. We’re supporting 165,000 Reasons because this is a crisis that demands practical, collective action – from government, councils, housing associations, and partners across sectors. We need to improve conditions for families now, while also building more genuinely affordable homes so children can put down roots and look to the future with confidence.”

Clare Miller CEO Clarion Housing Group and Deputy Chair of G15 commented:

“Temporary accommodation is no longer a short-term housing issue; it is a long-term social challenge affecting the futures of hundreds of thousands of children.

“At Clarion, we believe the response must go beyond awareness alone. We need collective action that brings together housing providers, government, charities, communities and partners to share insight, build momentum and develop practical solutions that genuinely reduce the number of children living without the stability of a permanent home.

“That is why we are delighted to support the 165,000 Children Campaign. By caring about the scale of the challenge, uniting around a common purpose and focusing on solutions, we can help create better outcomes and stronger futures for children and families across the country.“

Stephen Teagle, CEO Partnerships and Regeneration at Vistry said:
“Behind every number is a child without the stability and security that every family deserves. The fact that more than 165,000 children are growing up in temporary accommodation should concern all of us across housing, development, investment and government.

“This campaign matters because it brings the sector together around a shared responsibility, not simply to manage the consequences of the crisis, but to help solve it. We know the solutions exist. The challenge now is delivering them at the pace and scale families urgently need.

“165,000 Reasons is a call for collective action to create decent homes, stronger communities and better futures for children across the country.”

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, CEO, L&Q Group added:

“L&Q is proud to be supporting the 165,000 Reasons campaign to highlight the urgent steps that must be taken to end the crisis of children living in temporary accommodation.”

“With 1 in 21 children in London living in temporary homes, it is crucial that the housing sector works together to provide safe, affordable, and decent homes for children and their families.”

Following the UKREiiF launch, the campaign will expand its work with local authorities across England and the wider UK, working alongside national government and partners to influence policy, drive change and build pressure for practical, long-term reform.

Organisations interested in supporting the campaign, attending the UKREiiF launch programme or discussing partnership opportunities can visit 16500reasons.co.uk or contact 165000Reasons@cratus.co.uk

There are 165,000 reasons to act. Every one of them is a child.

*Statistics from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government