More households are in temporary accommodation than at any point since records began and we say that the UK government needs to act urgently to end this crisis.
Asociat and our clients at Home Kitchen Diner – the social impact restaurant, have joined over 100 organisations and individuals from across the third sector, local Government and housing associations calling on our government to show urgency in dealing with this unjust situation.
The open letter, which is addressed to Michael Gove, the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has been put together by London’s Deputy Mayor for Housing, Tom Copley, the London Housing Panel (a group of 15 voluntary organisations) and the London Housing Directors Group (LHDG), made up of senior officers from every borough in the city, They argue urgent action is needed as the country’s acute homelessness crisis in London worsens. Trust For London (one of the organisations on the London Housing Panel) explains further:
The plea comes as the number of households living in temporary accommodation reaches its highest level since 2005, with over 100,000 households across England affected. Almost 60% of these households are in London.
Many families are moved to temporary accommodation far from their previous home, and stuck in temporary accommodation for long periods of time. This can have a damaging and lasting impact on people’s work, education, health and education.
Dinah Roake, chair of the London Housing Panel starkly illustrates the situation:
More than 160,000 Londoners are homeless and relying on over-crowded, expensive temporary accommodation. For too many families, their stay in this accommodation is far from temporary, and has devastating impacts on their health, wellbeing and lives. This isn’t acceptable. The government must act urgently to address this crisis: invest in more social homes and raise LHA rates so that people of all incomes can afford to continue to live in their city, and bring in national standards so that when people do have to stay in temporary accommodation, their stay is safe, healthy and short.
As Asociat and Home Kitchen Diner are on a joint mission to end homelessness we are compelled to add our voice to the growing list of signatories. We urge any other organisation, especially those who claim to be led by purpose and values to do the same. The letter can be signed here: Open Letter to Michael Gove.
To learn more about Home Kitchen Diner click here.
Story: Asociat adds signature on letter to Gove.
