How we’re driving change in temporary accommodation

Right now, around 1 in 50 Londoners are currently stuck in temporary accommodation – often without cooking facilities, laundry, Wi-Fi, storage or clear information. These aren't luxuries: they are the basics essentials people need to rebuild their lives. At Praxis, we see the impact of these conditions on families every day. The immigration system pushes people into destitution and homelessness and many people we support are living in temporary accommodation. 

Parents cooking with kettles. Kids falling behind at school without Wi-Fi. Families going into debt just to store their belongings. This is the reality of living in temporary accommodation for so many - but it doesn’t have to be this way. That’s why we’ve been working to improve the temporary accommodation in two keys ways.

Delivering migrant-led training

First, we’ve co-created a 2-3 hour interactive in-person training for professionals supporting migrants living in temporary accommodation, developed with people who have lived experience of temporary accommodation. Through a series of ten workshops, a small group of Praxis community members explored the different types of accommodation and shared both positive and negative experiences of accessing and living in these spaces. Together, we identified practical areas for improvement and began shaping the training programme.

"I enjoyed bringing together different perspectives and lived experience. It reflects real needs. This training will support professionals to build more inclusiveness and a better understanding of the community, improve their practice and effectiveness, creating meaningful changes." 

The training gives professionals a clear look into the complexities of the immigration system and the extra challenges it creates. It equips social workers, housing officers, asylum and resettlement teams, and frontline practitioners with the skills and confidence to better support migrants living in temporary accommodation. Using vivid, fictional case studies that reflect diverse experiences, the sessions bring these realities to life. And with community‑trained facilitators leading the workshops, participants gain authentic insight straight from those closest to the issues. 

The training is offered free of charge and is currently funded by Trust for London’s Temporary Accommodation Alliance programme. If you’re interested in our training on temporary accommodation, we’d love to hear from you – please complete this form. 

Sharing lived experience insights in campaigning

Second, as part of the Temporary Accommodation Alliance, we’ve been advocating for change through the Fix the Five Basics Campaign. This has included Praxis community members speaking about their experiences in campaign videos, mobilising hundreds of people to email their local candidates ahead of the local elections, and co-hosting a community lunch with local councillors. 

Watch the campaign video: