Homeless children in France up 120% in four years

By Utku Simsek and Gozde Bayar

The number of homeless children in France has surged by 120% over the past four years, according to a report released by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Thursday.

UNICEF France reported that on the night of August 19, at least 2,043 children were without accommodation, marking a 120% increase from 2020. Among these children, 467 are under the age of three. This marks the first time the number of homeless children has exceeded 2,000, which UNICEF France described as "alarming."

Pascal Brice, head of the Federation des Acteurs de la Solidarite (FAS), criticized the government for failing to address the issue effectively, despite a commitment made in 2022 to resolve the crisis. Brice called for the immediate removal of these children and their families from their "unworthy situation."

"This incessant increase in the number of homeless children is a tragedy. For the sixth time, our barometer reveals a constant deterioration of the situation, in flagrant violation of the principles of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, which France has ratified," said Adeline Hazan, the president of UNICEF France.

UNICEF France and FAS have urged the new French government to prioritize this issue and increase the number of shelters as promised since January 2024.

The situation has been exacerbated by the displacement of homeless people in Paris and its surrounding areas ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which took place from July 26 to August 11.

The policy has been criticized by human rights organizations and migrant associations for failing to provide permanent housing solutions for those affected.