One in every 210 children in Wales will wake up homeless this Christmas, with many worrying about how Father Christmas will find them.
Shelter Cymru is asking people to give the gift of home this winter, as thousands of families and individuals face the uncertainty of the festive season stuck in temporary accommodation.
“It’s a shocking number,” said Fundraising Officer Fran Hourihan. “That number represents real children, who may be living with their family in a single room and travelling hours to school.”
According to the latest figures from the Welsh Government, a total of 10,876 individuals are currently living in temporary accommodation in Wales, including 2,555 children. There are also an estimated 160 individuals sleeping rough.
Fran, who co-ordinates the Winter Appeal, said the numbers can be “hard to visualise”, but for context, 2,500 children is approximately equivalent to the whole population of Saundersfoot in Pembrokeshire.
The Fundraising team started working on the appeal during the summer, with the launch last month and activity running until the end of January.
Fran said: “When we talk about giving the gift of home, we mean something simple, but really important, and that’s helping people to find and keep a home.
“We know thousands of people in Wales are stuck in temporary accommodation at the moment – that’s often one room in a bed and breakfast or hotel. And that’s just not home.”
Shelter Cymru offers free, confidential, independent advice and support through its helpline, website, webchat, advice surgeries and at court.
Last year, the charity helped 21,532 people, including 6,345 children, and prevented homeless entirely in 88% of cases, as well as campaigning to end the housing emergency in Wales.
“The gift of home is really about giving something we all need – a safe and secure home,” said Fran. “Thanks to our supporters, we’re helping one person in housing need every five minutes.
“It might be the phone call that stops an eviction, or the specialist advice that helps a family move out of a hotel, into a real home. But we know there are many more people who need us.”
The Winter Appeal runs from November to January, but Shelter Cymru works year-round to help people who are facing and experiencing homelessness in Wales.
“If you’re in a B&B or moving between temporary accommodation, it’s difficult to create that sense of stability. For parents, the pressure to make Christmas feel normal can be really tough. Many people won’t have a kitchen to cook Christmas dinner or be able to invite family over.”
One mum who was living in temporary accommodation told her: “The children are scared. Their world is always turned upside down. They never know what’s going to happen next.”
Some individuals have reported damp and mould in temporary accommodation making asthma worse, while others have talked of the stress caused by the insecurity of the situation.
Fran added: “Temporary accommodation often isn’t that temporary – many families are stuck there for months or even years. Parents have told us they feel worried they’re unable to cook and find it incredibly hard to create any kind of routine for their children.
“Families are often placed in one small room, with limited space for children to play. Often there are no laundry facilities and they might have to share a kitchen with lots of other people.
“Genuinely, the donations we receive change lives. They help us prevent homelessness before it starts and support people when they’re going through a really difficult time in their lives. We’re there beside them and making sure they’re not alone.”
To make a one-off donation to the Winter Appeal, or to set up a monthly gift, visit our donate page.
3 December 2025
By Liz Day
