Housing supply must be increased, and local authorities adequately resourced, for London’s Temporary Accommodation (TA) emergency to be resolved. That is the view of the London Assembly Housing Committee that has just published its report – ‘London’s Temporary Accommodation Emergency’ – outlining the existing challenges within the sector, with 16 recommendations for improving TA standards in London.

Families with children make up 60% of London households living in TA, but they often do not have access to the amenities they need – like cooking facilities and play space for children.

Although there are some good temporary accommodation providers, accounts we heard painted a grim picture of insanitary, overcrowded, and hazardous living conditions for many.

According to the latest data, the biggest causes for homelessness for Londoners were being asked to leave by friends or family who could no longer accommodate them, or private rented tenancies coming to an end (increasingly through Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions). Meanwhile, London boroughs are now spending £90m each month on TA.

Shaun Bailey, chairman of the London Assembly Housing Committee, said: “The temporary accommodation crisis requires urgent action. A lack of stable and affordable housing has led to a situation where thousands of Londoners have been forced into homelessness and have been housed in sub-standard and even hazardous living accommodation.”