Wealthier London boroughs are increasingly placing homeless families in more deprived areas, charities warn.

Citizens UK and Trust for London have called on the Government to do more to solve the temporary accommodation crisis.

In a new report they found that Richmond upon Thames and Kensington and Chelsea rehomed 75% of their temporary accommodation households in less affluent areas between April and June 2023. The study also found that just eight households were welcomed into wealthier boroughs during the same period, exacerbating geographical inequalities and adding further pressure to the overstretched budgets of deprived areas.

Researchers have labelled the temporary accommodation issue a generational crisis bred by a ‘broken system’ that affects young children, those in their twenties and midlife, as well as the elderly population.

The report also unveils the ‘dire realities’ of those living in temporary accommodation, whose dignity is undermined by an inability to access their personal belongings, hygiene facilities, such as laundry services, and other basic living essentials.

Emmanuel Gotora, Assistant Director at Citizens UK commented: ‘No one should have to live this way, and no child should be growing up without the security of a home that meets all of their needs.’

‘We need urgent action to deal with this crisis. The Government must step up and set national standards to ensure people can live with dignity across the country.’

A Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said that ‘urgent and decisive action’ is being taken to combat these issues, confirming an investment of £1bn into homelessness services, alongside the delivery of 1.5 million new homes and safe housing for those living in temporary accommodation.