Children spending their entire childhoods in temporary housing and pensioners in their 90s still without a permanent home—these are among the stark findings of a new report exposing the grim depths of London’s temporary accommodation (TA) crisis.
Published by community organising charity Citizens UK, the report paints a bleak picture of life for tens of thousands of households across the capital. With over 70,000 homeless households currently relying on TA provided by councils, the crisis shows little sign of abating. The highest numbers are concentrated in Newham (6,667), Lambeth (4,657) and Southwark (3,828), where TA typically takes the form of hostels or budget hotel rooms—frequently lacking even basic facilities.
Through Freedom of Information (FOI) requests submitted to all London boroughs, Citizens UK uncovered stories of families who have been in TA for decades. One household in Croydon has been homeless since 1998, and another in Brent since 2000. More alarmingly, a single resident in Haringey has remained officially homeless since 1983—marking more than 40 years in limbo.
The report highlights that while the “median” household in TA is typically a parent in their twenties to forties with one or two children, the extremes reveal a more disturbing picture. “Behind these medians are young children at one end of the spectrum and vulnerable elderly people in their 90s at the other,” it states. Brent and Tower Hamlets are each housing at least one 97-year-old in TA. The oldest resident in Newham is 96, and in Kingston-upon-Thames, 95.
“These individuals are being denied their dignity,” the report adds, stressing that many live without access to a private toilet, cooking facilities, or a washing machine. “Temporary accommodation should be a lifeline for those who need it, not a trap,” said Emmanuel Gotora, assistant director at Citizens UK.
The practice of relocating households outside their borough—or even far beyond London—is also sharply criticised. On average, London councils house 43% of TA residents beyond their boundaries. Yet some of the capital’s wealthier boroughs are sending over 75% of households elsewhere. Ealing has reportedly sent families as far as Newcastle, Redbridge to Wakefield, and Wandsworth to Gwynedd in Wales.
“For many, basic necessities such as access to cooking facilities, washing and drying clothes, and storing belongings are not being met,” Gotora added. “No one should have to live this way, and no child should be growing up without the security of a home that meets all of their needs.”
In response, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said: “The Government inherited a serious housing crisis which is why we are taking urgent and decisive action to end homelessness… including £1 billion for crucial homelessness services this year and £78 million extra for London.”
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The Government pointed to its Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £8 million, which work with 20 councils most reliant on B&B accommodation. The aim is to transition families into more appropriate housing. Efforts are also being made to build 1.5 million new homes and end ‘no-fault’ evictions through the Renters’ Rights Bill.
However, many remain sceptical. Grace Williams, London Councils’ executive member for housing, said: “London is the epicentre of the worsening homelessness emergency… Boroughs increasingly find ourselves forced to use the least-worst options 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.”
The Citizens UK report serves as a sobering reminder of the human cost behind the statistics. Without swift and meaningful action, campaigners warn, thousands more Londoners will remain caught in a system that leaves them homeless in all but name.
