1. Becky Cartmell, King’s College London
The Contribution of Local Authorities to the use of Long Term
Temporary Accommodation in London
Executive Summary
The number of households who spend over two years in temporary accommodation due to statutory
homelessness is five times higher in London than the rest of England. This study examines three
London Boroughs with high pressure on low cost housing. It asks how the implementation of housing
policy is contributing to long stays in temporary accommodation, and what this implies about the
appropriateness of the legislative framework.
Proportion of households that spent two years or more in temporary arrangements before the main duty was
ended, London and the rest of England, January to March 2013 and 2014
Source: Great Britain, DCLG, 2014, p.16, chart.11a
Main Findings
Under Parts VI and VII of the Housing Act 1996 Local Authorities have a legal duty to provide
temporary accommodation to vulnerable homeless households meeting eligibility criteria. They also
have a high amount of discretion over the allocation of their social housing stock. While previous
studies have evidenced a supply shortage of low cost housing affecting an increased use of temporary
accommodation in London, findings from these three case studies show that Local Authorities
practices have a significant impact on the length of time that homeless households remain in
temporary accommodation.

2. ● There are substantial differences between how groups are prioritised for social housing.
Attitudes towards statutory homeless families in temporary accommodation mean they are
not being prioritised for social housing, which lengthens time spent in temporary
accommodation at additional costs and use of housing stock. This results from a perceived
need among allocations managers to lower priority on allocations schemes as a way of
discouraging homelessness as a route into social housing.
● There is evidence suggesting a ‘clogging up’ of affordable housing provision because property
is being used for temporary placements which could provide secure accommodation. Tight
suitability criteria, similar for temporary accommodation and permanent housing limits the
borough's ability to allocate stock and encourages the use of self-contained accommodation
which could otherwise be used for permanent housing
● A lack of coordination between boroughs causes efficiency losses and poorer outcomes for
households. The problems highlighted both come down to the legislative framework and
borough behaviour. There is a perception among some staff that all boroughs face the same
problems. Increasing opportunities for authorities to share information about the demands
for particular stock in their area may promote cooperation in certain areas to spread the
allocation of resources across boroughs.
Research Methodology
My literature review and analysis of published data from the Department of Communities and Local
Government suggested that variations in outputs on homelessness and allocations are distinctive to
each borough. A case study approach was adopted to best examine the mechanisms leading to long
term temporary accommodation. The three London boroughs (Camden, Brent and Haringey) were
chosen because they all had high demand for affordable housing and varying average lengths of time
spent in temporary accommodation. The study is unique in its focus on long term temporary
accommodation in the London context and highlights the disproportionate impact that London has to
national figures in this area.
Author:
Becky Cartmell, MSc Public Policy & Management
becky.cartmell@kcl.ac.uk​ / 07708076882
Becky has a BSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and an MSc in Public
Policy and Management from King’s College London. She has four years professional experience as a
Housing Officer with two Registered Social Landlords.