Faulty lifts 'force residents to sleep in lobby'

"Disabled residents living in temporary accommodation have said broken lifts forced them to sleep in the lobby. The Waterloo Hub Hotel (WHH) on Kennington Road, near Lambeth North station, houses dozens of people, some with limited mobility, under the care of Camden and Westminster councils. Wheelchair-user Michael said he was told by the council "to walk up the stairs", but "I am disabled"."

"WHH residents Johnson, who has a heart condition and a leg disability, said there were rats in the building, fire safety doors were broken and there had been delays in replacing broken microwaves. He added: "People have serious health conditions and nobody seems to care and... they are not taken as priority. "Think about human beings that live in these sorts of places. Normal human beings who are sick, who have contributed a lot to this country, not just me. "It's not fair at all.""

"Another resident, Rose, said "rude" staff, "diabolical" food and bedbugs have left her "sad and depressed". She said: "I've been bitten all over. It's a joke. "I feel sorry for people who are in a lot worse situation than me and it's sad to see." One in 49 Londoners are categorised as homeless and in temporary accommodation, with the capital's councils spending 4m a day on providing short-term housing. Last year, councils in England spent 2.8bn on temporary accommodation - up by a quarter on the previous year and more than double the amount of five years ago."

Disabled residents at the Waterloo Hub Hotel on Kennington Road reported broken lifts that forced some to sleep in the lobby. Dozens of people with limited mobility live under care from Camden and Westminster councils and face rats, broken fire doors, bedbugs, delayed repairs, rude staff and poor food. One resident with heart and leg conditions described a lack of prioritisation for serious health needs. London councils spend large sums on temporary accommodation, with one in 49 Londoners in such housing and rising national spending on short-term placements. Councils said they were investigating and concerned.

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