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Council housing shortage “forcing families in hostels and B&Bs” (8 August 2014)

Date: 08/08/2014
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Council housing shortage “forcing families in hostels and B&Bs”

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request by homeless charity Shelter has revealed that some homeless families are forced to live in temporary hostel accommodation for up to two years until a council house can be found for them.

The Independent reports that out of the councils which responded to Shelter’s FOI request, more than half had families on the council waiting list who had been forced to live in hostels or B&Bs for more than a year.

In London, 41% of homeless families – 4,000 in total – had been waiting for social housing for more than a year.

The shortage of permanent homes in the capital is being blamed for thousands of families living in cramped temporary accommodation until a council property can be found for them.

Hostels and B&Bs are supposed to be used by councils as a temporary measure – however, housing shortages across the UK mean families are living in poor accommodation and potentially having to share a kitchen and bathroom with other families.

Chief executive of Shelter, Campbell Robb, said:

“It’s appalling that in one of the wealthiest cities in the world, there are forgotten homeless children hidden from view in temporary accommodation that offers them no stability – and can be unsafe and in poor condition.

“And sadly – with more people struggling to make ends meet – we’re bracing ourselves for an increase in demand from families who desperately need our help.”

The Independent reports that research by Labour in 2013 revealed that the Conservative-run London Borough of Westminster spends £4.5 million every year – £85,000 a week – on housing families in temporary accommodation.

The legal limit for housing families in B&Bs is six weeks, but the practice has increased 800% since 2010 when the Coalition government came to power. Housing Minister Brandon Lewis told The Independent:

“Councils have a responsibility to house families in settled accommodation as quickly as possible and we have given them the tools to do this – including strengthening their powers to provide quality, privately rented accommodation and providing more than £1bn to tackle homelessness and to support people affected by welfare reform.

“The numbers of households in temporary accommodation is well below the peak reached under the previous administration, which hit 101,000 in 2004.

“Households now spend on average eight months less in temporary accommodation than at the start of 2010,” Mr Lewis said.

Shadow Communities Minister Lyn Brown said that Labour would tackle the housing crisis by getting 200,000 homes built every year by 2020 – and would also legislate for stable, long-term tenancies for private renters “so families can have peace of mind”.

Ms Brown said that Labour would also “scrap the cruel bedroom tax”, which she said puts families at risk of homelessness.

Duncan Lewis Housing Lawyers

Duncan Lewis housing lawyers can advise on housing law and a wide range of housing matters, including Local Authority housing and issues relating to private sector rental accommodation.

Duncan Lewis is also one of the UK’s leading providers of Legal Aid services, including Legal Aid for housing cases such as:

• Disrepair of rental property
• Housing benefit claims
• Housing possession
• Local Authority housing cases
• Unlawful or malicious eviction.


For expert legal help with housing, contact Duncan Lewis housing lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

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