Number of homeless children in Merton passes 1,000

10 Jul 2025
New Homes [Image: Tim Prater]

The number of homeless children in Merton has risen to its highest level on record, with 1,020 children now living in temporary accommodation – a 10% increase since the start of the year.

The shocking figures were revealed by the Liberal Democrats at last night’s Full Council meeting, showing the number has risen from 931 children in December 2024.

Around 40% of those children have been homeless for over two years.

The rise comes despite Labour’s 2022 election promise to build 400 new social rented homes. To date, not a single one has been built. The Liberal Democrats previously revealed that the cost per home has now doubled to around £600,000, excluding land costs.

In March, Labour voted down a Liberal Democrat budget amendment to use award-winning modular construction to build 100 temporary homes, despite evidence they could have been delivered within just five months.

The number of children in temporary accommodation in Merton is now the highest since comparable records began in 2019.

Liberal Democrat Councillor and London Assembly Member Hina Bokhari AM challenged the Labour administration over their failure to support young children:

“This is a damning indictment of Labour’s failure to deliver on housing. Over 1,000 of Merton’s children are being left without a permanent home – many for years – while Labour’s housing policy has stalled and costs have spiralled out of control.”

Commenting after the meeting, Cllr Bokhari said:

“These are children growing up without stability, without space to learn, play, or feel safe. This cannot continue. The Council must stop dragging its feet, streamline delivery, and put housing for vulnerable families front and centre.”

“The Liberal Democrats will keep fighting for every child in Merton to have the safe, stable home.”

 

  • Cllr Bokhari’s question and the Cabinet Member’s response can be found here.
  • December 2024 figures were obtained from MHCLG, available here.
  • The Cabinet paper detailing the cost increases for Merton’s new build social rented homes are available here.

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