What three years of temporary accommodation community work taught us

Over the past three years, South West London Law Centres has worked alongside residents living in temporary accommodation to better understand the conditions they face, the barriers they come up against, and the kind of support that can help people feel less alone and more able to take action.

This work began from a simple belief: people living in temporary accommodation should not have to navigate unsafe housing, poor communication and complex systems by themselves. Legal advice is vital, but it is not always enough on its own. People also need spaces where they can share experiences, understand their rights, build confidence and speak collectively about what needs to change.

Through resident meetings, community spaces and partnership work, we saw how individual housing problems often reflected wider patterns. Residents raised concerns about disrepair, overcrowding, lack of basic facilities, poor communication from councils or accommodation providers, and the difficulty of being heard when trying to challenge unsuitable living conditions.

One of the clearest lessons was that community action can help turn isolation into confidence. Residents who had felt unsure about making complaints or raising concerns were able to talk through their experiences, understand their options and take practical steps. In some cases, this meant drafting complaints, escalating issues or pushing for repairs. In others, it meant helping people feel more able to advocate for themselves and support neighbours facing similar problems.

The work also showed that change looks different in different boroughs. In some areas, there were opportunities for constructive dialogue with local authorities. In others, progress required a different approach, including public pressure, partnership working, media attention and collaboration with local activists and councillors. This taught us the importance of being flexible, persistent and responsive to local realities.

There were practical outcomes too. Residents working together helped secure repairs, improvements to basic facilities, better communication, access to housing registers and moves into safer or more suitable accommodation. These changes mattered not only because they improved individual situations, but because they showed what can happen when people are supported to raise concerns collectively.

The project also gave us important learning about participation. Not every format worked equally well. Digital tools, hybrid meetings and informal communication channels all had limits, especially for people balancing work, caring responsibilities, health issues, financial hardship or housing instability. We learned that community work has to be accessible, realistic and shaped around people’s lives.

Above all, the past three years reminded us that people with lived experience are experts in the systems they are forced to navigate. When residents are listened to, supported and given space to lead, they can identify problems clearly and push for practical change.

These lessons will continue to shape our work. As the housing crisis continues to affect families and individuals across South West London, we remain committed to supporting residents not only through legal advice, but through community voice, shared learning and collective action.