Launching The Five Basics of Temporary Accommodation Campaign
On Thursday 17 July, we launched our local chapter of the Five Basics campaign in Wandsworth, an urgent call for action to make temporary accommodation liveable, healthy and humane.
As part of the launch, we met with Councillor Aydin Dikerdem, Wandsworth Cabinet Member for Housing, and delivered a formal invitation for him and Councillor Hogg to attend a Community Learning Lunch on Wednesday 24 September at 12pm. This lunch will bring together local residents, frontline workers and decision-makers to hear experiences of life in temporary accommodation and to discuss practical solutions.
We’re proud to be part of the Better TA Alliance, a London-wide coalition pushing for all local authorities to adopt the Five Basics:
- Cooking facilities
- Laundry access
- WiFi
- Secure storage
- Clear, consistent information
These five essentials are the minimum needed for families and individuals to maintain their health, dignity, and stability. But today, 1 in 50 Londoners are in ‘temporary’ accommodation, and many are expected to live without these basics… not for days or weeks, but for months or even years.
What the Campaign Is Calling For
Councils across London currently spend around £90 million a month on temporary accommodation. But without the Five Basics in place, much of this spend fails to support people in a meaningful way.
By committing to these simple, affordable standards, councils can:
- Help residents cook healthy meals and avoid years of cold takeaways or instant noodles.
- Provide laundry facilities or vouchers to avoid hygiene crises.
- Ensure reliable WiFi access so families can apply for jobs, do homework, attend appointments and stay connected.
- Offer secure, free storage so families don’t lose essential belongings.
- Assign a named officer and consistent communication, so residents aren’t left in the dark about their cases.
“Most of us couldn’t get through a week without cooking a meal, washing our clothes, getting online or accessing our belongings. But thousands of people in temporary accommodation are forced to go without these basic needs for months or years at a time.” — The Five Basics Campaign
What’s Happening in Wandsworth
We’re inviting councillors and community members to sit down together on 24 September to share food and stories, and to call on Wandsworth Council to take action. The Five Basics are not luxuries. They are the bare minimum needed to live with dignity and rebuild your life.
If you live or work in Wandsworth and want to be part of this movement, or attend the Community Learning Lunch, please contact us at comms@swllc.org. We want your voice at the table.
This campaign is about more than just facilities: it’s about fairness, health, opportunity and justice. Whether you’re a resident, a service provider, or someone who believes in dignity for all, we invite you to support the Five Basics and demand better for those living in temporary accommodation.