Homeless families stuck in hotels as UK housing crisis deepens

The number of people in temporary accommodation is higher than ever and families living in hotels past the six-week legal limit is at a 20 year high.

Often families are all living in one room together, with no cooking facilities, waiting to hear from the council about whether they will be placed in more permanent accommodation, or told to pack up and move hotels with a day’s notice.  The Guardian spoke with three families living in the hotel about the impact it’s having on their children, health and money.

The Guardian on YouTube: 

#Homelessness #Travelodge #HiddenHomelessness

[rowdogspeaks]

I feel like the government has allowed this to happen. Not building enough affordable homes, not giving councils the funding they need to help situations like this, this country is such a state! People deserve so much better!

[bluediamond]

This makes me so angry. The people's situations in this video broke my heart - this is NOT OK. I've been one of the hidden homeless, mainly due to aging out of social care and not being adequately rehoused and/ or cared for and having to find my own way. The system is flawed. How can we as a society allow so many so slip through the cracks? Because the government certainly doesn't care. Its up to us!

[royaltyroyalty]

I work in the travelodge and this is exactly how it is, when the council don’t re book homeless guest they have to leave and there is nothing me as a worker can do about it. It’s heart breaking.

[derzeit]

Every time when i want to complain about my life i recall such people living in the hotels.People, whose life is absolutely horrendous, live in the cramped rooms meanwhile i have got my personal private house.I really hope, God will give them a hand

[AdeolaSpeaks]

Blood boiling knowing that there are high rises apartment all over London sitting empty. This is a problem that doesn't need to happen!😠

[MuslimGamer]

Back in the 80’s, I had friends who actually planned to have kids in order to secure a council property. They knew that by having kids it would get them to the top of the housing list. They actually admitted to this! I think so many people started to do this because there was no affordable option open to them.
It hasn’t fared too well for them in the long run though as they are stuck in grotty, dismal areas with no hope for themselves and their kids. Just a sad, hopeless existence at the mercy of the government. Their children then grow up to repeat the doom cycle. It’s very sad 😞

[christinasornbutnark]

This happens in America too. It’s awfully heartbreaking.

[ruthmaye]

This is an awful situation for all of them, but I am shocked at how they are treating a man with limited mobility

[fransayer]

It is sad and especially when someone is disabled. But at least they have a hotel room, some people are left on the streets to rot. Things need to change.

[gracemarfo]

I became homeless while I was 5 months pregnant. I approached Waltham Forest council because I lived with my mom in a shelter and was asked to move out because I can’t have a baby in a sheltered accommodation. The council refused to help me even after housing association gave me a final notice via letter. I was sneaking in to sleep in my moms property till I had a baby and I couldn’t go back. I was in the hospital for 2 weeks because I didn’t have anywhere to go. I had to consult a lawyer who then contacted the council and they finally lodged me and me 2 weeks baby to a travel lodge hotel. We were there for three days and they moved us into a hostel where we stayed there for 5 months on a loft with my caesarean section. This was the hardest days of my life. After 5 months they gave us a one bedroom apartment in the private sector. We are happy now and grateful. I’ve already started bidding looking forward to move. In all we give God the glory. He’s been faithful❤️

[brg]

That made me sad seeing him break down and cry like that. God bless him, disabled people should never experience this.

[thatgirlPAIGE]

“They are not gonna call me” I literally said out loud “Nobody will call her 🙄” before she even said that! Such a sad situation for these folks and COUNTLESS others 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[ariw]

This is unacceptable! We have to have empathy and humanity for one another. I truly hope all these lovely individuals get in a safe and secure home soon.

[francescapowell]

The man in the wheelchair. Really feel it for him. There is no way that kind of living is good for him in anyway, shape or form.

The mental, emotional and physical stress he must be going through. Yes, he has somewhere to sleep, but not building more social housing has left to many people vulnerable.

[krisradjpaul]

I wish all the people well, hope they find a permanent decent place to live.

[Boo-pvhn]

This has been happening for atleast 30 years, I remember being 17 and homeless and if it wasn’t for a lawyer and support worker that got out all the parts of the housing act then I would of been living on the streets. There are a lot of people still on the streets my brother had 4 of them in a bed sit with black mould on the walls and ceiling and constant flooding from upstairs. Don’t just blame the money situations look at the real issue, councils don’t have temporary housing.

[patriciarowe]

They do not care at all. I would be homless if I didn't leave London . It was bad in 2005. I feel so sorry for everyone affected by failed governments. I do think people born in the country should be made a priority. They have no where to go to.

[wynnkidsnannylorivance]

I live in America. But my investigation of the housing issues in the UK tells me that almost no private landlords take benefits. It shameful.

[M_Kru]

Many years ago I was stuck on a wait list for public housing with a newborn basically couch surfing for a year.. and had to navigate my way through awful situations due to lack of rentals... (now) i am so greatful to have my small home for myself and child. There needs to be more affordable housing built, this is heartbreaking.

[a]

The Government has sold off housing to investors and failed to build necessary council housing for its citizens. The councils behaviour towards people is horrendous. Why are they so inhumane?