Edinburgh dad separated from daughter for more than three years after being housed in temporary accommodation

Shaun Nixon found himself homeless after a family breakdown in 2022. After submitting a homelessness application, he was placed in a bed and breakfast in Leith, where he has stayed for the last three and a half years.

But the placement has had a devastating effect on his family life as it has left him separated from his 10-year old daughter Esme, who is not allowed in the B&B as it is not family friendly.

“I told [the council] I’m a single dad who gets regular contact with his daughter yet they still house me in a non-family B&B,” said the 35-year-old. “I have asked about this before and they emailed me about two years ago saying they would move me into a family friendly B&B but nothing ever got done since that email.”

Shaun and Esme are able to be together for a few precious hours at the weekend but Shaun said that securing a property would mean he could have his daughter stay with him.

Shaun has voiced his concerns around cleanliness in the room in addition to safety concerns, but feels he has not been listened to. | Shaun Nixon

The B&B also presents major safety concerns for Shaun, who is profoundly deaf. He said there is damage which has not been repaired in his room and he worries about what would happen in the event of a fire. He said having his own home would mean he could install special smoke alarms which vibrate or light up to alert him to a fire.

The single dad said he is one of many being priced out of private lets around the city, despite working full time, and is calling on the council to help find him a home in which he can feel safe and enjoy time with his little girl.

“I am on the property list, I have been bidding for three properties per week for the last three years,” Shaun said. “I have never missed a week but the council haven’t really replied to any of my emails.”

Shaun and Esme’s situation is not unique across Edinburgh - and it is becoming increasingly common. There were 4,358 households in temporary accommodation on March 31, 2025, the most recent period data is available for. In 2024, the number stood at 3,817 - an increase from the 2,824 in 2021.

Around two-third of households with children spend more than a year in temporary accommodation, with the average number of days sitting at 530.

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “While we are unable to comment on individual cases, the Council remains committed to meeting the needs of its tenants and service users. We are aware of Mr Nixon’s case and our officers will be in touch with him directly.”