TV Star's Emotional Encounter with Homeless Family
This Morning presenter Alison Hammond was moved to tears during a powerful new campaign film for the housing charity Shelter, where she met a single mother who has been homeless with her young son for nearly six years.
The 50-year-old television personality sat down with Alicia, 39, and her six-year-old son Aeon, who has spent his entire life in temporary accommodation across London. Alison became visibly emotional as Alicia described their daily struggles with mould, damp, and mouse infestations in their current housing.
A Christmas To-Do List No Family Should Have
Alison told The Mirror she felt an immediate connection to Alicia as another single mother. "I couldn't believe what Alicia was telling me - it really got me," she said. "No one should have to live how Alicia and Aeon are living currently."
The presenter was particularly heartbroken by Alicia's Christmas preparations, which include buying multiple types of mouse traps, chasing repairs, and tackling mould on walls while trying to create special holiday memories for her son.
Both Alicia and Aeon have developed breathing problems due to their living conditions, with the young boy requiring hospital treatment after experiencing breathing difficulties at night.
Record Numbers Facing Homelessness This Winter
The emotional film comes at a critical time, with official figures showing 172,420 children currently homeless in temporary accommodation in England - the highest number since records began 21 years ago.
Alicia described the profound isolation of homelessness, saying: "I felt really alone and didn't want to be a burden to anyone. My mental health really suffered, and I felt so isolated, like it was just me and my son against the world."
After reaching out to Shelter's emergency helpline, Alicia received support understanding her legal rights and options for securing safer accommodation.
Sarah Elliott, Chief Executive Officer at Shelter, emphasized: "Every day we hear from families in temporary accommodation who are terrified of waiting out the winter in appalling conditions. No family should face homelessness alone this Christmas."
The charity is urging public support through donations to help provide essential services during what they describe as an escalating homelessness crisis driven by record-high private rents and a chronic shortage of affordable social homes.
