Help needed for those in temporary accommodation during Covid-19

Homeless charity Shelter says more needs to be done to protect families living in temporary accommodation during Covid-19 outbreak. 

There are currently 62,280 homeless families living in temporary accommodation in the UK, of which 9% are living in emergency B&B’s and hostels where they have to share facilities and often sleep in a single room.

Following the outbreak of Covid-19, the government is advising those who experience symptoms or those who are particularly vulnerable, such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, to isolate.

However, for individuals living in shared and often crowded accommodation, self-isolation may not be possible.

Shelter is calling on the government to do more to help these people.

Polly Neate, chief executive at Shelter said: ‘In the last few days, the government has acted swiftly to help renters and people sleeping rough by putting in place strong emergency measures to help safeguard these groups during the coronavirus crisis.

‘It must now do the same for homeless families in shared and one-room temporary accommodation.

‘Thousands of families with children are in this situation, living in cramped emergency B&Bs and hostels.

‘It can be more difficult for them to follow NHS isolation guidance when they are sharing kitchens and bathrooms with strangers, living a single room or even sharing a bed.

‘And we don’t know how children will cope being stuck in these conditions when schools close.

‘That’s why we’re urging the government to follow suit with additional funding and support for councils to help those currently in shared temporary accommodation and prevent anyone else ending up there. This is a key way we can keep more people safe.’

In related news, earlier this year New Start investigated what living in temporary accommodation is really like.

New Start spoke to Selina Hanley, ambassador for St John’s Homelessness Initiative and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity who has lived in temporary accommodation for over two years.

‘I feel completely trapped in temporary accommodation, it’s starting to affect my mental health and my confidence, I’ve gone from owning a business to being scared to get a job because of how it will affect my benefits.

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