Dozens of families who are homeless are being moved far away from London because there is not enough temporary housing available in Westminster, according to a new report on housing figures from 2020. The analysis, conducted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), revealed that Westminster City Council has relocated people as far as 33 miles away to places like Southend-on-Sea, and up to 23 miles away to North Hertfordshire and South Bucks. Other areas where temporary accommodation is being utilized include Thurrock, Slough, Epping Forest, and Hertsmere.
The council mentioned that they are trying to maximize the amount of temporary housing available in the borough by purchasing and securing private properties. However, the data shows that the number of people living in temporary accommodation outside of the borough has been steadily increasing, from 235 in 2020 to 266 in 2024. The majority of these individuals, 217 in total, are being housed in Thurrock.
A spokesperson from the anti-poverty charity Z2K, Alya Ozmen, expressed concern about the impact of relocating homeless families far from their support networks. She emphasized the need for significant investment to address the current housing shortage and improve the support available to those placed in out-of-borough accommodation.
Westminster City Council has just under 4,000 temporary accommodation units, with 148 households living outside of the borough. The council stated that they have seen a significant increase in the number of households seeking housing support, with approaches, new placements, and acceptances rising by more than 35 percent in the last year. In response to the growing demand for temporary housing, the council has allocated £178.3 million to secure good quality accommodation and reduce reliance on the private rented sector and hotels.
The council reiterated their commitment to providing homeless households with accommodation, citing reasons such as the end of private rented tenancies, inability to find affordable alternatives, family breakdowns, and domestic violence as common factors leading to homelessness. They acknowledged the need to prioritize those with the greatest need for housing in or near a specific location.
In the 2023/24 financial year, Westminster City Council spent an additional £34 million on temporary accommodation, bringing the total expenditure to £95 million. This represented a 55 percent increase from the previous year, with the council’s share of spend as a percentage of its full budget rising to 0.11 percent. This is the largest increase since 2014, according to records.
The council’s efforts to address the housing crisis and provide support to homeless individuals and families remain ongoing. If you have a story to share or need assistance, you can contact Adrian Zorzut at adrian.zorzut@reachplc.com. Stay informed about the latest news and updates from London by signing up for our daily newsletters.
