Catherine West
Shadow Minister for Asia and the PacificThis week, I led a Westminster Hall Debate on Social Housing Occupancy Levels, an issue I have been campaigning on since I become a Member of Parliament for Hornsey and Wood Green in 2015 and before that a London Council Leader.
Addressing the Housing Crisis:
Each week, I speak to constituents who are living in overcrowded social housing, waiting many years for suitable housing. In Haringey, over 13,000 people are on the council housing waiting list, 1,053 people are estimated to be living in overcrowded council homes and 871 private sector tenants in the highest social housing priority are overcrowded or severely overcrowded.
No local authority wants to place a household in unsuitable accommodation, however the severe reduction in the number of homes available to let through social housing means that councils are forced to use the dwindling private rented sector, B&Bs and hotels. The use of temporary accommodation often means families are having to move far away from friends, work, and school just to keep a roof over their heads.
According to the National Housing Federation, an estimated 8.4 million people are living in unsuitable housing – affected by overcrowding, unaffordability, disrepair and damp and mould (as of December 2021). I have lost count of the number of residents who have contacted me to say they can no longer use their bedroom due to excessive mould on ceilings, walls, and bedding. Most significant of all, overcrowding is the largest problem nationally, affecting nearly 3.7 million people.
The impact of overcrowded housing:
So, what is the impact of overcrowded housing? Firstly, it has proven to worsen physical and mental health. We know that people living in these conditions are more likely to face problems such as damp, vermin, and lack of outdoor space. I am also deeply concerned and saddened about the impact of overcrowding on families.
According to the National Housing Federation, almost two million children live in overcrowded homes. Recently, I heard from one constituent who lives in a 2-bedroom flat with his wife and four children, the youngest of whom is blind and requires essential medical equipment such as specialized chairs, a buggy, a standing frame, and various feeding-related apparatus – can you imagine all of this in a 2-bedroom flat? This family, like many others, desperately needs a bigger home.
During my Westminster Hall Debate, I was grateful to hear from other Members, including from Northern Ireland and Darlington. Each explained that their constituents are also struggling to access affordable homes. Although many councils are doing their best to increase housing stock, they need support from central government.
If Labour is privileged enough to serve in government, we will bring about the biggest boost in affordable homes for a generation – with social and council housing at the core of our plan. There is no solution to the housing crisis that does not involve a substantial programme of social and affordable house building. In the meantime, more and more families in my constituency will be stuck in overcrowded and completely unsuitable housing.
Final thoughts:
When considering the pressing housing crisis the UK is facing, it becomes clear that addressing social housing occupancy levels is pivotal in achieving true societal leveling. The Westminster Hall Debate highlighted the stark reality faced by constituents residing in overcrowded, inadequate accommodations, enduring lengthy waits for suitable housing.
The detrimental effects of overcrowding on both physical and mental wellbeing, especially for vulnerable children, cannot be overstated. Urgent action is essential to address the plight of millions nationwide. Advocating for a substantial programme of social and affordable house building, alongside necessary support from central government to local councils, offers hope for a more equitable future.
To read more about Curia’s Levelling Up Commission, click here.