Patricia, a resident of temporary hotel accommodation for eight months, reflects on her desire for a permanent home amidst increasing housing costs in London. The council's spending on temporary housing has reached unsustainable levels, leading to significant budget overruns. Newham Council, for instance, has seen its hotel costs triple, prompting a 9% council tax increase. With thousands of children living in temporary situations, the crisis highlights the urgent need for more home building and government awareness to address the financial pressures on local councils.
"I so want my own key, I am fed up with being here," she says. Patricia says hotel rules mean no guests are allowed and she has to share a kitchen with the many other families that have been placed there.
"Temporary accommodation is probably the largest pressure boroughs are seeing on their finances,". Grace Williams emphasizes the dire need for investment in home building to alleviate the crisis.
Last year, councils were spending most of the council tax they received on temporary housing, with Crawley, Hastings and Dartford spending more than 50% of council tax.
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