Temporary accommodation provides a safe and secure place to stay while you wait to find a long-term home. It offers a vital safety net for many people facing homelessness, who would otherwise be forced to sleep on the streets or in unsuitable housing. Keep reading to find out more about how temporary housing works, who is eligible and the types of support that are available.
Temporary accommodation is housing provided by local councils to people who are facing homelessness. Unlike emergency housing, it offers a more stable environment while you wait for a permanent home. While someone might be in emergency accommodation for just a few nights or weeks, people in temporary accommodation could end up staying there for five years or more.
To access temporary accommodation, you must be eligible under your local council’s guidelines. Usually you will need to have a connection to the local area, be at immediate risk of homelessness and be in priority need.
Priority need means that you’re more vulnerable than the average person. You might be considered priority need if you are:
There are many different types of temporary accommodation. Some types are shared with other people, while others are private and self-contained. The type you are offered will often depend on your current circumstances. For example, if you have children to take care of, councils will always try to find you a self-contained home first.
The different types of temporary accommodation include:
Councils understand that you need to be close to the important people and places in your life. They will aim to find you somewhere to stay that’s near to your workplace, family, children’s schools and your support network. You can let them know if there are any other reasons why you might need to stay in a certain area.
If it isn’t possible to find you a suitable home in your chosen area, councils have no choice but to offer you a home elsewhere. Due to housing shortages across many areas in the UK, the home you are offered might be further away than you’d like.
Temporary accommodation isn’t a long-term solution and councils will try to find you a permanent home as quickly as possible.
The length of time you will spend in temporary accommodation depends on a few things. This includes your housing needs, how many suitable properties are available and where you are on the council’s priority list.
There are often many people waiting for the same type of home. This means people are sometimes forced to stay in temporary accommodation for longer than they should. Some families and individuals can remain in temporary housing for several months or even years while waiting for permanent options.
Your landlord is responsible for the majority of repairs and maintenance to your home. This includes major repairs like fixing a broken roof or window, along with ensuring the property is well maintained and safe to live in.
As a tenant, you are responsible for looking after your home and keeping it in good condition. This may include minor repairs or maintenance such as mowing the lawn, changing lightbulbs and small decorating jobs. You are also responsible for fixing any damage you cause to the property.
Sometimes temporary accommodation isn’t suitable. It could be too far away, too expensive, too small, overcrowded, inaccessible, unsafe or in poor condition. It might be clear that it doesn’t meet your needs before moving in, or you may only find out after.
If you’re offered temporary accommodation that isn’t suitable it’s important that you still accept the initial offer. If you refuse the council’s offer, they can remove their support and stop helping you.
Once you’re settled into your accommodation you can request a review within three weeks if it still isn’t right for you.
The council must offer you alternative housing if there’s a clear legal reason why it isn’t of a suitable standard.
You can also tell the council if your home has recently become unsuitable. This could be because the property is no longer safe, the condition has got worse or you need more space as your children get older. Temporary housing must meet the needs of you and your family for the entire time that you live there.
If you break accommodation rules, refuse a longer-term housing offer or miss your rent payments, you could be evicted from the property.
The council will usually have to take you to court to evict you. If the court rules the eviction was your fault, the council is not required to find you another home.
If you’re struggling to keep up with rent payments for your temporary accommodation, there are services that can help.
Housing Benefit can cover all, or part of your rent. It’s currently being replaced by the government’s new Universal Credit scheme. This new system rolls a number of different benefits into one offering that includes Housing Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Tax Credits. This means you will receive all of the benefits you are entitled to in one monthly payment.