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Our Letter to Angela Rayner MP

  • 5 min read |
  • Posted by Simon Gale
  • On 17 July 2024

Looking forward to the King's Speech on the 17th of July, we were hopeful for planned legislative changes with the potential to transform the lives of those who are homeless in Temporary Accommodation, by increasing opportunities to live in safe and healthy temporary housing (homes of a properly regulated Decent Homes Standard across all forms of housing stock) and to reduce the duration of stays through increased access to social housing.

As an organisation, we are pleased that housing and homelessness have been placed in the hands of the Deputy Prime Minister, indicating the importance this government places on the need for lasting solutions. It is encouraging to see that the new government has hit the ground running on housing, with welcome announcements in the King's Speech such as finally abolishing Section 21 evictions through the Renter's Rights Bill. We also welcome Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister and new Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government into her new role.

Any housing plans with an aim to end homelessness in the UK needs to put Temporary Accommodation at its centre. With a record 112,660 households and 145,800 children living in Temporary Accommodation in England, rough sleeping is just the tip of the iceberg.

It is a multifaceted problem that requires a systemic approach. We are particularly hopeful about the proposed ‘Ending Homelessness Unit’ promised during Labour’s campaign, and the potential it holds for addressing the crisis of Temporary Accommodation from across government departments.

Just as important, it is encouraging to hear Labour talk of renewed efforts to work collaboratively with regions and Local Authorities. The growing disconnect between a government, outlining law and budget restrictions, and Local Authorities tasked with the duty to solve homelessness locally, has sent a record 30% of those in Temporary Accommodation away from their home area, and pushed many Local Authorities to the brink of bankruptcy.

We welcome a new and ambitious government, putting Temporary Accommodation at the heart of solutions to solving homelessness, and collaboration at the heart of the approach.

You can see our letter to Angela Rayner below, outlining the stark reality that she will have to address, and our hopes in working alongside her to make stays in Temporary Accommodation short, safe and healthy. Hopefully we'll hear more detail this morning from the government.

The Rt Hon Angela Rayner MP Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

8 July 2024 [By Email]

Dear Deputy Prime Minister,

Congratulations on your party’s win in the general election, and your new roles of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Housing. We are excited to see that housing has been placed in the hands of the Deputy Prime Minister, and hope that this is suggestive of the importance that will be placed on finding lasting solutions to homelessness.

The extent of the housing crisis in Britain is most acutely expressed by the prevalence of poor quality and no longer ‘short term’ temporary accommodation used for those who are hidden homeless in our communities. The previous government’s inability to build social and affordable housing has led to a record number of children, individuals and families stuck living in housing that is reminiscent of victorian-era slums. By any measurement, the situation has dramatically worsened since the coalition government took over in 2010.

Any plans to end homelessness in the UK needs to put temporary accommodation at its centre. This is some of what we know:

Children

Right now, there are a record 112,660 households and 145,800 children living in temporary accommodation (TA) in England. That is enough children to fill well over 4000 classrooms. A generation of children are growing up in TA that is rampant with damp, mould and infestations, without a safe place to learn to crawl, play and do homework. Without enough social housing, people are spending too long in TA waiting for a home; in some cases families face an average wait of four years. The impact of this, in the very worst cases, is life-threatening. Tragically, at least 55 children have lost their lives while living in TA.

Disability

At an estimated 37%, the proportion of people with disabilities in TA is much higher than the approximately 20% of the general population. In spite of this overrepresentation, people with disabilities are being placed in TA that fails to meet their basic accessibility needs. This is leaving some trapped in rooms that are up flights of stairs, unable to wash safely and in properties with no working lifts. Everyone deserves housing that upholds their basic rights, but in far too many cases, people with disabilities are suffering in silence.

Adults

Life in temporary accommodation is marked by instability and chaos. The people Justlife supports face daily challenges on multiple fronts, including a lack of basic facilities, declining health, isolation and anxiety. Our Specialist Support Workers describe it as “being stuck in constant survival mode”. Added to this, people can be moved to different accommodations at short notice, sometimes repeatedly, making even the most tenuous ‘settling in’ difficult. Far too often TA is a place that compounds problems and actively hinders people’s ability to recover from their misfortune.

Out of Area placements

A growing number of people are being sent into TA away from their local area - 30% of all TA placements - because struggling local authorities have run out of other internal options. For the 33,350 households placed out-of-area, there is the added stress of how to travel to work, school and appointments. One family was left with an eight hour daily round trip just to take the children to school for months, before they were moved again to another new area. Being far from the support of friends, family and trusted support services, and no clear way out of homelessness, people can feel hopeless.

As you get settled into your role, we are particularly hopeful about the proposed ‘Ending Homelessness Unit’ promised during Labour’s campaign, and the potential it holds for addressing the crisis of temporary accommodation from across government departments. We look forward to working with you, building on the work of the APPG for Households in Temporary Accommodation, and our own work pushing for temporary accommodation that is short, safe and healthy for all.

Yours Sincerely,

Simon Gale

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