Justlife’s research on Hidden Homelessness: The impact of COVID-19 (2020) uncovered deep-rooted systemic injustices in the homelessness sector and the intersectional nature of homelessness. It also highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between decision-makers and those directly affected by homelessness, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.
In response, in early 2023, Justlife launched a pilot peer research group funded by The Young Foundation Community Knowledge Fund. Building on this, a second group of peer researchers was formed in early 2024. Both groups aimed to co-design and conduct research while exploring peer research as a method for accessing first-hand community insights into intersectionality in Temporary Accommodation.
Here, Group 2 summarises their findings.
Our story
As a group we have diverse experiences of Temporary Accommodation (TA), including differences in gender, sexuality, disability, health, and legal status. Despite these differences, we found common ground through a shared passion for change that made it easy for us to work together.
Building on our experience, we were keen to explore how conditions in TA affect people's health, both physical and mental, and so we chose this research question:
How do conditions in temporary accommodation impact people’s mental and physical health?
We decided to focus on professionals rather than individuals with lived experience. We felt that, ethically, this would be a safer way to gather data, avoiding the potential for triggering people with lived experience of staying in TA by talking about past trauma. By speaking with workers who have interacted with many individuals, we would gain a broader range of perspectives rather than relying on a single personal experience.
To do this, we facilitated a focus group with eight current and former Justlife staff. Participants shared insights from their experiences working with clients at Justlife, as well as with clients in other organisations such as Mind Out and Citizens' Advice. Bringing professionals into the research as participants, with individuals with lived experience leading the process, was an exciting new approach.
We split the focus group into 3 sections - before, during and after being in TA - because we wanted to know if people’s health conditions were affecting them before being placed in TA, or if they were caused or exacerbated by being in TA.
What we found
According to the focus group participants, all of their clients had a health condition for which they were being medicated.
“If you have dependants you automatically are a priority need and don’t need a health condition to be a priority, but you would if you were a single adult”
Focus group participant
This will, in part, be due to the fact that Justlife works with individuals who must have a health issue to receive support. However, the data illustrated that the physical and social conditions in Temporary Accommodation often negatively impacts people’s physical and mental health, further exacerbating pre-existing issues.
Some of the health issues mentioned included poor mental health, substance misuse, and undiagnosed brain injuries.
“In my experience, 100% of those I worked with had health conditions, including both chronic and short-term issues”
Focus group participant
In terms of physical health, the focus group participants talked of nutritional deficiencies, respiratory issues and autoimmune flare-ups that could have been prevented with continuity of care, better communication, suitable conditions and better trained staff.
“Poor nutrition - if you only have a microwave. Especially as a diabetic”
Focus group participant
Likewise, participants spoke of how life in TA affected people’s mental health negatively as people feel isolated, depressed and hopeless. The accommodation was described as noisy, chaotic and unsafe.
“People feel scared and lonely even though around a lot of people”
Focus group participant
This was an important finding to us, as we felt as peers that not all professionals are fully aware of the impact on people’s physical and mental health. We also have data showing the long-term impacts, often leading to revolving door clients, where individuals go in and out of homelessness and the impacts are long-lasting and very difficult to recover from.
“Deteriorating mental health can lead to frequent A&E visits. People in acute distress often go because they feel unsafe in their Temporary Accommodation and want to be moved, but the council refuses. Sometimes they remain stuck in A&E as the mental health team won’t discharge them for safety reasons.”
Focus group participant
Recommendations
Our findings have led us to five recommendations:
Recommendation 1 - Mental Health and Dual Diagnosis Support
Our research highlights the need for a more inclusive and responsive mental health model, particularly for individuals with dual diagnoses and complex needs to ensure no one falls through the gaps. Mental health and substance use services should work together to eliminate barriers to accessing support. Services should be tailored to individual needs rather than relying on rigid diagnostic labels, by involving the service user and their priorities when making a care plan, where possible and safe to do so.
Recommendation 2 - Independent Regulator for Temporary Accommodation
We recommend establishing an Independent Regulator to ensure TA meets the same standards as the Private Rented Sector. This regulator would have the authority to enforce compliance, impose fines, and hold providers accountable, improving conditions and protecting residents' rights. This recommendation aligns with the APPG for Households in TA’s call for a national TA regulator. The government has also acknowledged the need for improved conditions in TA, with plans to extend Awaab’s Law to Temporary Accommodation, strengthening enforcement on housing conditions to TA.
Recommendation 3 - Move-On Programme
We suggest the establishment of a Move-On Programme to support individuals transitioning out of TA. This initiative would help residents navigate the housing process, including bidding for properties, understanding available support, and how to set up a new home, including setting up utilities. This should also give the opportunity to socialise with other people in the same position, helping address loneliness and isolation.
Recommendation 4 - Aftercare Programme
We propose an aftercare programme to assist individuals as they transition into stable housing. This programme would help maintain tenancies by offering guidance on independent living, budgeting and managing bills, community reintegration, and personal development such as CV building, skills training, and support with accessing employment or education.
Recommendation 5 - Community Education to Tackle Stigma
To address the stigma surrounding TA, we ask for the development of community education programmes. These could include myth-busting campaigns to challenge misconceptions, initiatives providing factual information, and community engagement events aimed at fostering understanding and inclusion.
"A supported accommodation (...) didn't even get opened because of the reaction of people living nearby. People don’t want TA near them"
Focus group participant
Finally, we want to involve people with lived experience in the design, support and running of these programmes. In addition to strengthening the programmes, it would also be of benefit to those involved, as it has for us.
Our Impact
Our research has been well received. For us, this was an opportunity to make sure our research is meaningful, and we look forward to seeing what it can lead to. We’re proud to see that our research is already having an impact, locally as well as nationally, including:
National Government - Our research findings and recommendations have been shared with the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG) to inform their new cross-government strategy on homelessness.
Local Government - We recently had the opportunity to present these findings and recommendations, at the local council’s strategy meeting as they set out their new five year strategy to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping.
Community - In response to recommendation 3, Justlife has expanded its existing drop-in sessions for people experiencing homelessness by adding new topics, including housing rights for those in emergency and temporary accommodation, moving into the private rented sector, and navigating the council house bidding system.
“We have been very interested in following the work of the peer researchers at Justlife and were delighted they accepted our invitation to present at a recent Call for Evidence event. Their recommendations will now help inform the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025–2030 for Brighton and Hove, as we try to deliver quality services for all on a tight budget.”
Brighton and Hove County Council
Conclusion
Going through the process of doing peer research, as peers with lived experience of TA, we feel involved in the community and less isolated. We are so pleased that our research is positively influencing meaningful change at a local and national level.
You can find a detailed account of our research, including findings and recommendations, here.
If you would like to find out more about our peer research or interested in promoting our work, please contact gail@justlife.org.uk
