{"id":476329,"date":"2026-04-06T10:06:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T09:06:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/?p=476329"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T09:06:54","slug":"all-boroughs-are-being-asked-to-commit-to-five-basics-in-temporary-accommodation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/london\/all-boroughs-are-being-asked-to-commit-to-five-basics-in-temporary-accommodation\/","title":{"rendered":"All boroughs are being asked to commit to &#8216;five basics&#8217; in temporary accommodation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\"><strong>London\u2019s boroughs have been asked to commit to basic living standards in temporary accommodation as new analysis reveals the crisis is getting worse in almost every part of the capital.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Data published as part of London\u2019s Poverty Profile and obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) shows that 24 of London\u2019s 32 boroughs \u2013 equivalent to three-quarters \u2013 have seen an increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation year-on-year.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"69959\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448384\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">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<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Overall, 76,000 households are now in temporary accommodation across London, an increase of ten per cent on the previous year. Two thirds of these households include children.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-tiktok wp-block-embed-tiktok\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"SCMRQRDDCG9nYwe6xvM5HxsBS0LnbPI8oJjPadshc4LKyNOyfmrfq4FitwKV9apk8YgetkElhlVGE2m17cpr1gzZ2XOQ\"><blockquote class=\"tiktok-embed\" cite=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@southwarknews\/video\/7622001788622785814\" data-video-id=\"7622001788622785814\" data-embed-from=\"oembed\" style=\"max-width:605px; min-width:325px;\"> <section> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"@southwarknews\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/@southwarknews?refer=embed\">@southwarknews<\/a> <p>Two months on\u2026 and still empty? Southwark\u2019s new Solohaus modular are sitting unused after water connection delays.  Hill Group and Southwark council point to Thames Water, while thousands remain on the waiting list. A spokesman for Hill Partnerships said: \u201cIt\u2019s really not what we expected at all\u2026and it\u2019s not the first time we\u2019ve had this problem with Thames Water\u2026Trying to get a date (for installation) has been like pulling teeth.\u201d Thames Water were approached for comment.  <a title=\"housingcrisis\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/housingcrisis?refer=embed\">#housingcrisis<\/a> <a title=\"london\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/london?refer=embed\">#london<\/a> <a title=\"modularhomes\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/modularhomes?refer=embed\">#modularhomes<\/a> <a title=\"southwark\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/southwark?refer=embed\">#southwark<\/a> <a title=\"homeless\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/tag\/homeless?refer=embed\">#homeless<\/a><\/p> <a target=\"_blank\" title=\"? original sound - Southwark News\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/music\/original-sound-7622001793610156822?refer=embed\">? original sound &#8211; Southwark News<\/a> <\/section> <\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A new campaign has now called on every council in the capital to commit to ensuring all households in temporary accommodation have access to the \u2018five basics\u2019 \u2013 kitchen facilities, laundry facilities, storage space, WiFi or clear information about their situation.<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"68153\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448385\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMTE0ODE1NjY2OCIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWNvbnRlbnQgc291dGgtZW50aXR5LXBsYWNlbWVudCIgc3R5bGU9Im1hcmdpbi1sZWZ0OiBhdXRvO21hcmdpbi1yaWdodDogYXV0bzt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOiBjZW50ZXI7Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtMngxIj4NCjxzY3JpcHQ+DQpnb29nbGV0YWcuY21kLnB1c2goZnVuY3Rpb24oKSB7IGdvb2dsZXRhZy5kaXNwbGF5KCdkaXYtZ3B0LWFkLTJ4MScpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICAgICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Albinia Stanley, coordinator of the Fix the Five Basics campaign, told the LDRS: \u201cFamilies in temporary accommodation are living without the basics the rest of us take for granted. Cooking facilities, laundry, Wi-Fi, storage, clear information: these are not big asks.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-842x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-476330\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-842x560.jpg 842w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-421x280.jpg 421w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-219x146.jpg 219w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-1320x878.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-750x499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-1-1140x758.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fix the Five Basics campaigners in Lambeth<br>Credit: Fix the Five Basics campaign<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"842\" height=\"560\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-842x560.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-476332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-842x560.jpg 842w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-421x280.jpg 421w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-2048x1363.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-219x146.jpg 219w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-1320x878.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-750x499.jpg 750w, https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Five-Basics-3-1140x759.jpg 1140w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 842px) 100vw, 842px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fix the Five Basics campaigners in Newham<br>Credit: Fix the Five Basics campaign<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>\u201cSome London councils have already started delivering them. We\u2019re calling on every candidate standing in May\u2019s elections to pledge to fix the five basics in their borough. This is a chance to make a real difference.\u201d<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71156\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448386\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMzI4MjI0MTExMSIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1OSBzb3V0aC1lbnRpdHktcGxhY2VtZW50Ij48IS0tICAvMTU0NzI1MDcwLDIyNjk0MTk2OTY5L3NvdXRod2Fya25ld3Mvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cyAtLT4NCjxkaXYgaWQ9ImRpdi1ncHQtYWQtbXB1OSI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHU5Jyk7IH0pOw0KPC9zY3JpcHQ+DQo8L2Rpdj4gICAgIDwvZGl2Pg==<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Faith is a mother of two who has lived in temporary accommodation since 2022. Her name has been changed to protect her identity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She said: \u201cMany people like me are raising their children without these basics for months or even years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWithout these basics it\u2019s hard to survive, let alone rebuild your life and get back on your feet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut it doesn\u2019t have to be this way.\u201d<\/p><script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"71157\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"448387\" data-no-track=\"impressions\">PGRpdiBpZD0ic291dGgtMjI2NjMxMTAzMyIgY2xhc3M9InNvdXRoLWluLWFydGljbGUtbXB1LTEwIHNvdXRoLWVudGl0eS1wbGFjZW1lbnQiPjwhLS0gIC8xNTQ3MjUwNzAsMjI2OTQxOTY5Njkvc291dGh3YXJrbmV3cy9zb3V0aHdhcmtuZXdzIC0tPg0KPGRpdiBpZD0iZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCI+DQo8c2NyaXB0Pg0KZ29vZ2xldGFnLmNtZC5wdXNoKGZ1bmN0aW9uKCkgeyBnb29nbGV0YWcuZGlzcGxheSgnZGl2LWdwdC1hZC1tcHUxMCcpOyB9KTsNCjwvc2NyaXB0Pg0KPC9kaXY+ICAgICA8L2Rpdj4=<\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Campaigners say that being deprived of any of the five basics can have a major impact on families, whether it be difficulty preparing meals, children being unable to complete homework without Wi-Fi, households falling into debt to store their belongings, or simply the anguish and confusions caused by a lack of&nbsp; clear information about their rights or when they will be moved on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Newham, the equivalent of six per cent of all households are now in temporary accommodation \u2013 the highest rate in the country and more than ten times the average for England.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Westminster (3.4 per cent), Lambeth (3.2 per cent), Southwark (3.0 per cent) and Hackney (2.8 per cent) also have rates far above the national figure. The London average is around two per cent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Samuel Thomas, senior policy adviser at anti-poverty charity Z2K, said: \u201cTackling London\u2019s temporary accommodation crisis has never been more urgent, with our advisers supporting increasing numbers of families trapped without access to the essentials we all need to get by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cZ2K\u2019s research suggests that when people are denied the Five Basics, their health worsens, their costs soar, and their chances of moving on from homelessness decline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re calling on all London local election candidates to match the commitments made in boroughs like Westminster and commit to fixing the Five Basics, so that stays in temporary accommodation are as safe, stable and short as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"aCx4nDcZEbzWVhl8JefwoNkjId\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"obD41usJp4\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/southwark\/councils-powerless-against-developers\/\">Councils powerless against developers?<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Councils powerless against developers?&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/southwark\/councils-powerless-against-developers\/embed\/#?secret=ONuhA4Km0C#?secret=obD41usJp4\" data-secret=\"obD41usJp4\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wandsworth, Westminster, Greenwich and Lewisham have all committed to work towards implementing the Five Basics in their boroughs, while discussions are ongoing with candidates from major parties in more than 10 boroughs across London, according to the campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Questioned about the state of some temporary accommodation centres in 2023, the Mayor of London told Assembly Members: \u201cI recognise that councils are finding it increasingly difficult to secure temporary accommodation, but it must be of decent condition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>More generally, Sir Sadiq Khan has said the \u201ccreation of more genuinely affordable homes is the long-term solution to the worsening crisis in temporary accommodation\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the existence of an unfair housing rule currently allows local authorities to deem someone \u2018intentionally homeless\u2019 if they refuse an offer of housing and they deem that an \u2018unreasonable refusal\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Reports suggest that Londoners are routinely being moved to temporary accommodation in Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Middlesbrough, sometimes for years at a time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There have been multiple cases of residents being told they have to accept a long distance offer \u2013 whether temporary or permanent \u2013 or the council will discharge its legal duty to house them, meaning they are homeless and on their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the LDRS: \u201cLondon, alongside the rest of the country, is working to tackle increasing numbers of households needing temporary accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEnsuring better quality and more cost-effective temporary accommodation is a key element of the work City Hall is doing with local councils and partners through the Ending Homelessness Accelerator Programme to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A Westminster City Council spokesperson said:\u00a0\u00a0\u201cThis is a national challenge, but its impact is particularly severe in areas like Westminster where there is so much demand for homes. We have 4,500 households in temporary accommodation\u00a0and the reality of the housing crisis in central London means we will need to continue providing housing for those in need.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-southwark-news wp-block-embed-southwark-news\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"IcKClPoHQUeLdB6IfuBD8gUwEXcaTbjqG2jZkftVZVn0M87ahF0Er7lMQ3q1m35zOdg9A6vtvYyXeCrTLSDS5KpNbWJ1GszxnRp\"><blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"XmsxTqiC0E\"><a href=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/london\/lack-of-awareness-around-renters-rights-reforms-could-undermine-new-law\/\">Lack of awareness around Renters\u2019 Rights reforms could undermine new law<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; visibility: hidden;\" title=\"&#8220;Lack of awareness around Renters\u2019 Rights reforms could undermine new law&#8221; &#8212; Southwark News\" src=\"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/area\/london\/lack-of-awareness-around-renters-rights-reforms-could-undermine-new-law\/embed\/#?secret=LW4V74Bu2e#?secret=XmsxTqiC0E\" data-secret=\"XmsxTqiC0E\" width=\"500\" height=\"282\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>London\u2019s boroughs have been asked to commit to basic living standards in temporary accommodation as new analysis reveals the crisis is getting worse in almost every part of the capital. Data published as part of London\u2019s Poverty Profile and obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) shows that 24 of London\u2019s 32 boroughs \u2013 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19652,"featured_media":476331,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"format":"standard","override":[{"template":"1","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","post_calculate_word_method":"str_word_count","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","show_comment_section":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"1","show_inline_post_related":"1"}],"image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","disable_ad":"0","subtitle":"They are kitchen facilities, laundry facilities, storage space, WiFi or clear information about their situation."},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":"800"},"jnews_social_meta":[],"jnews_override_counter":{"view_counter_number":"0","share_counter_number":"0","like_counter_number":"0","dislike_counter_number":"0"},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7375,13549,800,13602,13543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-476329","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","category-housing","category-london","category-news","category-politics"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476329","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19652"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=476329"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476329\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":476333,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/476329\/revisions\/476333"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/476331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=476329"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=476329"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/southwarknews.co.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=476329"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}