London Councils has highlighted the “undeniable need for urgent action.” In response to a new parliamentary report on homeless children in temporary accommodation.
As cited by the report, London Councils’ analysis suggests 90,000 children in the capital are homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by a London borough.
This means one out of every 21 children in London are homeless – equivalent to at least one homeless child in every London classroom.
London is grappling with the most severe housing and homelessness pressures in the country. London Councils estimates that 183,000 Londoners overall (one in 50 residents of the capital) are homeless. Boroughs collectively spend £4m every day on temporary accommodation – with homelessness expenditure jumping by 68% in a year.
Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said:
“This report lays bare the dire circumstance facing many families living in temporary accommodation.”
“Secure and stable housing is fundamental for education, health, and well-being. London boroughs are hugely concerned by the tens of thousands of children caught up in the capital’s homelessness emergency, and what this means for London’s next generation.
“In the face of a worsening shortage of affordable accommodation, boroughs increasingly find ourselves forced to use the least-worst options in order to keep a roof over the heads of homeless families. We are determined to raise standards in temporary accommodation – and to reduce the number of families reliant on it – but we need the resources and support to make this happen faster.
“There is an undeniable need for urgent action. London boroughs are fully committed to tackling homelessness and determined to work with the government in achieving this.”
London boroughs are collaborating through the Setting the Standard programme, which they launched in 2020 and organises inspections of the highest-risk section of the temporary accommodation market (B&B and studio properties) in the capital, with the aim of rooting out poor accommodation.
London boroughs are also working to minimise out-of-London homelessness placements and are keenly aware these placements contribute to housing pressures in other parts of the country. Boroughs point out that ultimately the solution is coordinated action between national and local government to reduce homelessness in the capital and the risk of local authorities competing over much-needed housing and temporary accommodation options.
London Councils is calling on the government to:
Better fund councils for the cost of temporary accommodation, by ending the fourteen-year freeze on the amount councils can claim back from government to meet their temporary accommodation costs. This has become the single biggest driver of financial insecurity for London boroughs and consequently leading to lower quality accommodation.
Make the increase in Local Housing Allowance rates a permanent measure. Research published by London Councils shows only 5% of London’s private rental listings in the capital are affordable to households in the private rented sector relying on Local Housing Allowance.
Boroughs want LHA rates updated annually to track market rents and help ensure adequate support for low-income tenants in the private rented sector. This would prevent significant levels of homelessness.
Bring forward a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness. Tackling homelessness must become a major priority at a national level with government departments working together – in addition to key partners such as local authorities – as effectively as possible.
Boost long-term grant funding for affordable housing. The chronic and longstanding shortage of affordable housing is the key factor driving London’s homelessness emergency.
With more investment available for social and affordable housing, boroughs will be in a better position to deliver the affordable housing London’s communities are crying out for.
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