b'Permanent solutions to a temporary problemThe cost of temporary housing is spiralling, and thousands of vulnerable people continue to live in unsuitable accommodation while waiting for something stable and permanent. Lottie Winson analyses Local Government Lawyer and Devonshires exclusive survey of Housing Practitioners on the current issues in this area, and potential solutions for local authorities. In April, the Housing, Communities and Localhomeless or at risk of homelessness, whilewelfare reforms and the housing crisis Government (HCLG) Committee called for atheir housing situation is being assessedhave collectively pushed more people fundamental overhaul of temporary housingor until more permanent accommodationtowards homelessnessincreasing the in England, noting that more than 126,000can be secured. While intended as a short- demand on local authorities for temporary households currently live in temporaryterm solution, however, many families andaccommodation. This, coupled with a short accommodation, with many in appallingindividuals spend years trapped in limbo supply of affordable housing to place people conditions. often in overcrowded and unsafe conditions. in the longer term, has created the perfect Temporary accommodation, in the contextstorm for a perpetual backlog of people of housing law, refers to housing providedSky high demandin need. The latest government statutory by a local authority to individuals who areIn recent years, economic instability,homelessness figures, published in July 2025, How much of a problem do you find the following obstacles to meeting the demand for temporary housing? (Scale one-to-five, five being most severe, one insignificant or irrelevant)Lack of supply of social homes 4.8Local Housing Allowance rates/caps 4.5Lack of supply of private rented sector homes 4.4Lack of enforcement of housing legislation to help sustain tenancies 3.4Housing allocations law and policy 3.0Regulatory limitations 2.9Housing safety law (e.g. Awaabs Law, Building Safety Act) 2.7Court backlogs 2.7Planning law 2.6Human rights law 2.0'