London is at the centre of the housing crisis. More than 180,000 people are currently living in temporary accommodation (TA), costing already cash-strapped councils a staggering £90 million a month.
Despite this huge cost, TA fails to provide even the basic essentials for many of it's residents. Basics most of us couldn’t live without – like somewhere to cook, do laundry, store our belongings and access the internet.
Today (Thursday 17 July) charities across London are heading to town halls to call on local councils to tackle the crisis, as part of the 'Fix the Five Basics' campaign funded by Trust for London.
The ask is simple: for council leaders, cabinet members for housing and Mayors to meet with the campaigners to talk about the practical steps they can take today to improve the wellbeing of TA residents.
The campaign urges boroughs to guarantee five basic necessities in every TA placement:
- Cooking facilities
- Laundry access
- Wi-Fi
- Secure storage
- Clear information
The scale of the TA crisis can feel unsurmountable. While we work to end the use of TA for good, we're proud to fund this campaign urging practical, local and immediate action.
By signing up to commit to the five basics, local authorities will be able to demand better value for money and provide real, immediate improvements to the lives of TA residents.
About the campaign
The campaign is organised by the Better TA Alliance, an informal collection of grassroots organisations, frontline services, and people with lived experience, backed by Trust for London.
Find out more about the campaign and how to get involved here.