Two children tragically lost their lives after being discovered unconscious in a vehicle. Police suspect that the nine year old boy and his two year old sister succumbed to the freezing temperatures after spending several nights sleeping in the van with three other children, believed to be their siblings, and adults.

The alarm was raised when their mother noticed they were struggling to breathe, prompting an urgent dash to the hospital. Despite efforts to save them, the two young siblings were pronounced dead upon arrival.

The remaining three children received medical attention and are now reported to be in stable condition by local news outlets. While the official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, authorities suggest the harsh winter conditions in Michigan may have played a role.

In light of this tragedy, police are urging the public against sleeping in vehicles during cold weather and to seek assistance if faced with homelessness. This devastating event in Greektown, Detroit coincides with growing calls for action in the UK, where the government is under increasing pressure to address the issue of homelessness.

Shelter, the housing and homeless charity, has emphasised the need for investment in affordable social housing, advocating for 90,000 homes annually over the next decade to effectively combat the crisis. A spokesperson from Shelter commented last month, "We need 90,000 each year for 10 years to end the housing emergency for good," reports The Mirror.

Disturbing statistics reveal that nearly one in eight private tenants are at risk of eviction this winter. The data, shared with The Mirror, underscores the severity of the housing crisis as renters grapple with soaring bills.

Financially burdened tenants are also anxiously awaiting long-overdue government reforms to prevent landlords from evicting them arbitrarily and without justification. According to a survey conducted by Shelter, approximately 8% of private renters received an eviction notice or were threatened with one between October and November.

The study also discovered that over 4% of tenants are in arrears with their rent, placing them at imminent risk of losing their homes. The government has pledged to fulfil its promise to outlaw no-fault evictions - section 21 notices - and the Renters' Rights Bill is currently progressing through the Commons.

The commitment to terminate this practice was initially made by former Prime Minister Theresa May in 2019 but has yet to be implemented by the Conservatives.