A mother of three, Danielle, has found herself homeless after seeking police assistance regarding threats of violence. The 21-year-old, who has three children under five, was forced to leave her council house in Southwark, London, and is now struggling to find shelter for her family.
Key Takeaways
- Danielle reported threats to the police, leading to her eviction from her council house.
- She is currently living in temporary accommodation but faces uncertainty about her future housing.
- The situation highlights the broader housing crisis affecting vulnerable families in the UK.
Danielle’s ordeal began when she reported threats to the police, believing it would lead to protection for her and her children. Instead, she was informed that it was too dangerous for her to return to her home in Southwark.
"I didn’t know that going to the police would end up with me being homeless," she expressed, as she pushed two prams down the street, her children in tow.
Initially, Southwark council provided temporary accommodation, but this support was abruptly withdrawn when police advised that it was unsafe for her to return to the borough.
"To sit there and tell a four-year-old little girl we can’t go home because we don’t have a home, that’s very upsetting as a mum," Danielle said, her heart breaking as she faced the reality of her situation.
On 30 September, she received a letter from the council stating that her accommodation would end on 9 October, instructing her to seek housing from another local authority. However, when she approached another council, they required further information from Southwark, leaving her in limbo.
"We are just going around in a loop and in the meantime me and my children are homeless, and nobody seems to care," she lamented.
Despite her desperate situation, a Southwark housing officer confirmed that her temporary accommodation would not be extended, citing a management decision. After further inquiries, Danielle was eventually allowed to return to her temporary accommodation, but the stress of her situation took a toll on her family.
Danielle’s case is emblematic of a national housing crisis, with over 150,000 children in England currently living in temporary accommodation. The lack of available homes has left many vulnerable families without support, as councils struggle to meet the growing demand for housing.
Housing lawyer Simeon Wilmore noted that both councils involved in Danielle’s case had failed to manage the situation effectively. "If they have reason to believe she may be eligible for priority needs then the duty of care kicks in. They must accommodate," he stated.
In Southwark alone, there are 17,700 people on the waiting list for housing, nearly three times the number from five years ago. Councils are spending an increasing percentage of their budgets on temporary accommodation, with some spending over 20% on homelessness.
Danielle’s temporary flat is sparsely furnished, with plain white walls and a TV on the floor. She dreams of a permanent home where she can create a loving environment for her children.
"They have told me I’m not going to be here for Christmas," she said, expressing her fears about the future. "I just hope it’s not on the street."
The housing crisis in the UK has reached a critical point, where even those in extreme vulnerability struggle to find help. Councils are calling for more secure funding from the government to build more homes, but with the number of children living in temporary accommodation at an all-time high, the problem requires urgent attention.