The scale and urgency of the temporary accommodation (TA) crisis cannot be overstated. Rising demand, constrained supply and spiralling costs have combined to create an increasingly unsustainable situation. In response, Campbell Tickell and Devonshires established the Temporary Accommodation Network (TAN), a collaborative initiative designed to pool expertise and drive practical, scalable solutions.
Launched in November 2024, TAN has brought together a broad alliance of organisations, including local authorities, housing associations, charities and private sector partners. Our aim is to coordinate action by identifying workable solutions, sharing best practice and influencing policy to improve the provision of TA.
The need for such collaboration is clear. Councils face mounting financial pressures, with TA expenditure reaching record levels, driven in part by increased reliance on hotels and B&Bs. Alongside these financial challenges are profound human consequences as young families and people with vulnerabilities are often placed in insecure and frequently unsuitable accommodation, with significant impacts on health, wellbeing and long-term life chances.
TAN aims to respond to these challenges by promoting innovation and enabling shared learning. Members have contributed case studies that showcase a range of approaches, from unlocking empty homes and developing modular housing solutions to attracting social investment and strengthening partnerships between councils and housing associations. These examples highlight that there is no single solution; instead, progress depends on scaling a range of locally driven, collaborative approaches.
Alongside this work, TAN is actively convening the sector. Recent events have included a webinar with the Local Government Information Unit, exploring ‘whole council' approaches to TA and the importance of coordinated action across housing, finance and corporate services. A further joint event with Project 123 (an initiative led by London Councils and the G15) brought partners together to examine solutions at scale and consider how lessons from London can inform national responses.
At its heart, TAN provides a platform for collaboration, enabling local authorities and partners to share insight and learn from one another. By pooling knowledge and aligning efforts, the network aims to help address the TA crisis.
Click here to learn more or join the network.
James McHugh is Senior Consultant at Campbell Tickell
