Talk About London: How Greenwich got its homeless out of B&B's

In this episode, Leanne Tritton and Dave Hill discuss the pressing issue of housing in London, focusing on Greenwich Council's successful strategies to reduce homelessness and reliance on temporary accommodation. They are joined by Leader of the Council, Cllr Anthony Okereke and Assistant Director Housing Needs and Tenancy, Shaun Flook, who share insights on the challenges faced during the pandemic, the assessment process for homelessness, and the innovative solutions implemented to provide stable housing for residents. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration across departments and the need for a comprehensive approach to tackle homelessness effectively.TakeawaysHousing is the most critical issue in London today.Greenwich Council reduced its use of B&Bs by 84%.The pandemic worsened homelessness and housing insecurity.Councils have a duty to prevent homelessness under the Homelessness Act.Collaboration between departments is essential for effective solutions.Direct offers of social housing helped reduce hotel dependency.Temporary accommodation can be a long-term struggle for families.Public understanding of homelessness is often limited.Prevention strategies are more effective than reactive measures.Zero people in hotels is a significant achievement for Greenwich.Chapters00:00Introduction to London's Housing Crisis01:32Understanding the Rise in Homelessness06:01Defining Homelessness and Its Impact12:45Strategies for Reducing Hotel Reliance19:02Achieving Dramatic Reductions in Temporary Accommodation21:36Rehousing Strategies for the Homeless28:10Challenges of Temporary Accommodation34:49Lessons Learned and Future Directions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.