The Temporary Accommodation (TA) crisis shows little sign of abating, with the latest figures showing 172,420 children living in TA – the highest number since records began 21 years ago. This is a crisis with profound costs in both financial and human terms. Since November 2024, we have partnered with Devonshires solicitors on the creation of a new Temporary Accommodation Network (TAN), in recognition of the need to find more sustainable solutions to meeting the severe growth in emergency housing need.
Through TAN we have sought to share best practice and generate discussion via the publication of case studies and a programme of free-to-attend events. Our members are diverse, ranging from local authorities and registered providers to funders and private landlords – each committed to finding collaborative solutions to the TA crisis.
Our event on 30 September focused on financial solutions. This is particularly topical considering the Budget announcements, as well as the recent revelation that council spending on TA increased by a quarter to £2.8bn in the financial year 2024-25. This situation is clearly unsustainable and will not be curtailed by quick fixes or minor policy tweaks.
Our speakers shared insights into their experiences, including how a developer had worked with Croydon Council to successfully convert a long-term empty office building into high-quality, modern and energy efficient homes for homeless households; the role of different financing routes and delivery models for local authorities; the potential benefits of leasing models tied to social impact investment and an outline of the financial challenges of TA from the cutting edge perspective of an inner London local authority.
We recently held another webinar on the role of modular housing, where providers shared how they are stepping up on supply solutions. Earlier this month at the Northern Housing Consortium's Housing Summit, we learnt how local authorities and housing associations are working together to provide wrap around support and stability for families who have been trapped in temporary accommodation and now have the opportunity for a permanent home. If you would like to join in on the discussion and learn from what is working elsewhere, please click here to join our network.
James McHugh is a Senior Consultant at Campbell Tickell
