Samantha Grix, Partner at Devonshires, and Maggie Rafalowicz, Director at Campbell Tickell, at the launch event
Launching TAN
Facing up to the challenges of temporary accommodation
HEALTH, CARE & SUPPORT
Maggie Rafalowicz
Director, Campbell Tickell
James McHugh
Senior Consultant, Campbell Tickell
Issue 78 | June 2025
It isn’t often an event can bring together a group as diverse as local authorities, housing associations, charities, property companies, estate agents, membership bodies, funders, investors, MMC providers, and developers. But this is what we managed with the launch of TAN – the Temporary Accommodation Network, an initiative set up by Campbell Tickell and Devonshires Solicitors – on 15 May.
With attendees drawn from organisations across the country, there was widespread recognition of the many challenges in meeting the increasing demand for good-quality homes, a challenge that can only be met by stakeholders working in partnership. TAN is designed to be a conduit for best practice and provide channels of communication. The launch was an important step in bringing professionals together to learn from each other.
Welcoming TAN
Minister for Homelessness and Democracy, Rushanara Ali MP, welcomed TAN’s establishment. She set out the Government’s plans for tackling rough sleeping and homelessness, such as the cross-departmental homelessness strategy, emergency accommodation reduction pilots, the Expert Group, the Lived Experience Forum and the focus on quality and decent home standards in the private rented sector.
Tim Gray, from the Centre for Homelessness Impact (CHI), pointed out that by all measures, use of temporary accommodation (TA) is at all-time record levels. This means total numbers of people in TA; children in TA; use of bed and breakfast accommodation; out of area placements; money spent on the most expensive TA, such as nightly paid; and the ratio between rents and Local Housing Allowance. Homelessness Prevention Grant is increasingly being spent on subsidising supply rather than on preventative measures.
Tim highlighted that improvements could be made through better use of data to understand trends and ensuring that local authorities take TA into account in Local Plans and housing delivery targets. He also stressed that providing support for families – both financial and emotional – during their stays in TA would help them become better equipped to find alternatives to homelessness.
Sam Ashton from London Councils highlighted that 56% of TA nationally is in the capital, citing structural changes in the private rented sector, where just 5% of properties are affordable at existing Local Housing Allowance rates.
Together with the GLA and with the support of CHI, LC are developing a programme to work together as a city to try and turn the tide on rising homelessness. Priorities will include better use of data to inform decision making, proactive prevention activities and a focus on the supply and standard of accommodation. As part of this new approach, the GLA has also led development of its rough sleepers plan of action. Further policy and funding changes from government are also vital in truly enabling a change in direction on homelessness.
Tim Gray
of TA nationally is in London
of properties are affordable at existing Local Housing Allowance rates
What’s next?
So with more than 200 professionals in our network and a bank of case studies to share, where is TAN going next?
We are rolling out a number of events – the first jointly with the Northern Housing Consortium on 18 June in Leeds, to focus on the TA challenges in the North. In September, we will be running a webinar on funding solutions.
Membership is free. This initiative is about working together to tackle one of the biggest and most immediate national challenges we face in housing.
To sign-up and read member case studies, visit our TAN landing page.
