Behind closed doors: The growing role of temporary housing

Every day, I see the impact of housing shortages and homelessness up close. Recently, I read an article on UK homelessness highlighting a 10% rise in temporary homelessness and the staggering reality that 140,000 children are now living in temporary accommodation. Behind these numbers lies a wider issue of poverty, with over 3.5 million people in the UK living in extreme hardship. These are heavy numbers, but each statistic tells a personal story, reminding us that homelessness isn’t just about “building more homes.” It’s a deeply complex issue, with layers of human challenges I witness both professionally and personally.

Hotels as homes

Living in Yorkshire and working in Wirral sees me travelling for work each week and staying at least a few nights away from home. I’ve noticed that hotels, which we’ve long known are used for temporary accommodation, are no longer just for leisure or business. More and more, they’re becoming an option for people who, through no choice of their own, don’t have a permanent place to call home. Seeing it firsthand brings the reality into sharp focus, and knowing that this is on the rise makes it even more concerning. Behind each hotel door is a different story: a family looking for stability in hard times, someone staying for work, or a tourist exploring a new place. Each person brings their own needs, hopes, and challenges, making these spaces a blend of very different lives.

One moment that stays with me is seeing a dad teaching his young child to ride a bike outside a busy city centre hotel. It’s the kind of scene you’d expect in a quiet neighbourhood or a local park, but here they were, finding a sense of normalcy in a temporary space. For families, living in hotels is a constant reminder of how uncertain their situation is and how much they need a real place to call home.

In speaking with hospitality staff, I’ve come to see how they are facing unexpected challenges in their roles. Many are shaken by some of the things they’re now experiencing. They’re encountering guests in need of long-term support, yet often without the training or resources needed for this shift. Roles once limited to hospitality are now expanding to caregiving, bridging gaps for families whose lives have been disrupted. For the staff, this change calls for empathy and resilience and it’s made me question: where is the support for them? Ideally, there would be proper training and resources for hospitality professionals adjusting to these changes. But perhaps more importantly, the reality is that it shouldn’t be this way in the first place - no one is winning in this arrangement.

A roof over your head is, of course, better than none, yet this setup remains far from ideal for everyone involved. During a recent trip to the States, I saw homelessness in stark visibility. In major cities like Los Angeles, an estimated 45,000 people live on the streets. Here in the UK, while our support systems keep many off the streets, homelessness often hides in plain sight, tucked behind hotel doors or within the walls of temporary housing. For the families and individuals, it’s a reminder of how fragile and temporary their current home is. And for the rest of us, it’s a wake-up call: homelessness isn’t always visible, it’s happening all around us.

No quick fix

The government’s target to build 1.5 million new homes is ambitious and encouraging, showing an awareness of the scale of our housing needs. Recent Budget announcements, including ￡233 million dedicated to homelessness and rough sleeping and over ￡5 billion toward affordable housing, signal a commitment to tackling these issues. But reaching these goals will require not just funding and numbers, but a coordinated approach.

The housing and homelessness crisis is not a quick fix. It’s a deeply complex challenge with economic, political, and social dimensions that interact and sometimes clash. There’s no single answer to ending homelessness, but as someone who works within the housing sector every day, I know that raising awareness of the complexities is a crucial step. Behind each door, there’s a unique story - every family, child, and individual in temporary housing has a path they want to take and a need for a solution that fits their specific circumstances.

Compassion and collective action

From my experiences, I’ve learned that compassion, understanding, and awareness are more crucial now than ever. This crisis isn’t solved by one organisation or approach; it requires a collective effort. Every piece matters, from increasing housing options to offering strong support services. Hospitality staff becoming carers, council members working within tight budgets, and even tourists encountering these realities all play a role in adapting to an unprecedented need.

In my role, I continue to push for sustainable housing solutions that genuinely address people’s needs. My hope is that by sharing this perspective, others will see these challenges in a new light. Homelessness may be a national issue, but it’s the local compassion, creative solutions, and commitment that build a future where every individual and family has a place to call home and a world of possibilities to step into.

Real change happens when we act with awareness and empathy. Let’s make good stuff happen. Thank you for reading and for being part of this conversation.

Debi

Source: The Big Issue, October 2024

Source:The Guardian, June 2024