The number of homeless families living in temporary bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation has risen by almost half in the first few months of 2012. The research undertaken by the National Housing Federation reveals that between January and March 2011 there were 2,750 families nationwide living in B&Bs, but over the same period in 2012 this figure had risen to 3,960, representing an increase of 44%.

Alternative temporary accommodation to B&Bs in the form of houses or flats which are leased by local authorities and housing associations, currently provides short-term homes to around 26,000 homeless families.

However from April 2013, families living in these crisis homes could be hit by the new Universal Credit programme, which will limit the total amount of benefit claimed to a maximum of £500 a week. As short-term emergency accommodation is more expensive to rent and manage, this could mean families are unable to pay the rent, pushing them back into B&Bs.

The Government has not yet confirmed how the benefit cap will affect people living in temporary accommodation and what measures will be taken to protect the service.

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: “In a B&B whole families can find themselves sharing one room and they are often shut out of their accommodation during the day, causing huge disruption to daily routines of school and work.”