Many might have seen the high profile campaign by housing charity Shelter, which this year has focused on the high level of homelessness among children and families. The statistic quoted by Shelter is nearly 85,000 children in Britain face homelessness this Christmas morning, and of those children, many will be in temporary accommodation on or in emergency bed and breakfast accommodation.

Hidden behind the statistics are issues of which to be aware.  It is unlawful a local authority to house homelessness families in certain bed and breakfast hostels for longer than 6 weeks, and accommodation of a family in a bed and breakfast accommodation should only be as a last resort..  The City of Westminster was recently highlighted for their flagrant breach of these rules and the Ombudsman ordered them to pay compensation of £500 to each family who complained.

If you and your family have applied as homeless and have been housed emergency accommodation then we may be able to assist you to obtain suitable accommodation and to consider a complaint to the Ombudsman.  Call Philcox Gray and we will see if we are able to assist you.