IKEA and Shelter launch an UNWELCOME HOME doll’s house

Together with our national charity partner, Shelter, we have installed three very different FLISAT doll's houses in our stores at IKEA Wembley, IKEA Manchester and IKEA Birmingham, showing the shocking living conditions experienced by some of the children who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation. 

However, these are not ordinary doll's houses. We have created the UNWELCOME HOME doll’s house to raise awareness of the real living conditions for many families who have no option but temporary accommodation.

The latest statistics, released in August 2024, revealed that 151,630 children are homeless and living in temporary accommodation in England – the highest number since records began.

Our new campaign aims to raise awareness of the devastating conditions many of these children experience every day – from dangerous damp and mould to extreme overcrowding, problems accessing running water and infestations. 

According to the latest research from Shelter into the realities of living in temporary accommodation, three-quarters of households experienced poor conditions. Amongst the shocking issues uncovered, one in five experienced safety hazards such as faulty wiring or fire risks, four in 10 had problems with damp, mould or condensation, and over a third had issues with insect or animal infestations. More than one in six even had issues accessing running water.

Temporary accommodation is provided by councils to qualifying families who are homeless while they wait for their application to be processed and to be offered a settled home, and can take the form of emergency hostels, B&Bs, one-room bedsits and cramped flats. It was never intended to be used outside of emergencies, but with a shortage in social housing, it is often far from a temporary arrangement. Almost half (47%) of families who are homeless in temporary accommodation have been there for more than two years.

Temporary accommodation is often extremely overcrowded – with one in three families living in only one or two rooms. Over a third of families say their children do not have a bed of their own. Living in temporary accommodation disrupts children’s education and socialization, being deprived of a safe place to grow and develop.

In England, 1 in 78 children are homeless in temporary accommodation, which for many is unsafe and unfit. This number has increased by 15% in the last year and is the highest since records began.

The three doll’s houses on display in IKEA Wembley, IKEA Manchester and IKEA Birmingham, serve cities with some of the highest rates of children living in temporary accommodation in England.

We are inviting customers to take a closer look at the issue and to see the unfit, crowded and dangerous conditions thousands of these children experience. 

Please sign our open letter with the link below, calling on the government to commit to building 90,000 social homes a year for 10 years.

For customers in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland, find out what Shelter Scotland, Shelter Cymru, Housing Rights and Focus Ireland campaigns are tackling near you.

Danger

Safety issues are a critical concern in temporary accommodation. Many families experience structural issues, exposed and faulty wiring, leaks, unsafe door locks and insect and animal infestations.

Overcrowding

Temporary accommodation is often overcrowded. Many families share only one or two rooms, with some children not having a bed of their own. One in four households don’t have anywhere to eat outside of the room they sleep in.

Health

Nearly six in 10 parents report that temporary accommodation is harming their children’s health. Poor health outcomes are linked to mould, cold and a lack of running water, while a lack of cooking facilities makes it difficult to eat nutritious food. Limited laundry access makes it hard to keep clothing and bedding clean. Many families also report temporary accommodation has had a negative impact on their children’s stress and anxiety.

Development

Children living in temporary accommodation see their education disrupted, with almost half of families with school-age children having to move their child’s school. Many children arrive at school tired, late or hungry, impacting their ability to learn. Living in temporary accommodation can also prevent children from building strong social connections.