Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Deferred
Families face prolonged temporary accommodation stays amid England's severe housing crisis.
Conclusion
During our inquiry we have also heard that, for many families, life in temporary accommodation is far from ‘temporary’. In some cases, families spend years in temporary accommodation, stuck in limbo without the stability of permanent accommodation and knowing that their local authority may require them to move with little notice. The shortage of affordable housing across England means families face growing social housing waiting lists for a permanent home, with over 1.3 million households currently on local authority housing registers. Not only are we in a housing crisis, but we are also in a temporary accommodation crisis too. (Conclusion, Paragraph 21)
Government Response Summary
The government highlights the role of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) in investigating complaints and notes that the LGSCO received increased funding for 2025/26 due to increased demand. However, it does not address the core concern regarding the extended duration of stays in temporary accommodation or the underlying housing crisis.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government
Deferred
13. The Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) provides an essential service investigating complaints when a homeless applicant is not satisfied with how the council has handled their case. It is important to have an independent body to review such cases. 14. The LGSCO received increased funding for 2025/26 in recognition of increased demand. We will continue to engage with the LGSCO to consider demand in regard to homelessness cases.