Richmond Council recently hosted a successful drop-in surgery for housing clients in temporary accommodation.

The event marked the first of its kind in the borough and underlined our commitment to addressing the needs of residents.

Our dedicated housing team took part, offering valuable advice on managing rent account debt, benefit guidance, and comprehensive money and debt advice.

Recognising the diverse challenges faced by those in temporary accommodation, Housing Options, Housing Benefits, private rented sector teams and Work Match also attended. 

Cllr Jim Millard, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Member for Housing, was also in attendance engaging with attendees to learn more about individuals, how they are coping in temporary accommodation and what the council can do to further support them.

The personalised approach of officers underscored our dedication to understanding residents and the steps being taken to address the temporary accommodation crisis occurring in the borough and across London. 

Cllr Millard said: "It was reassuring to see the positive impact of our drop-in surgery but sobering to hear about the difficulties for those who, due to the challenges of the rental market in the borough, are having to be temporarily placed far from schools and support networks.

"We are determined to work with residents to find creative solutions to this - clearly we can't stand by as this emergency worsens.

"Engaging directly with residents in temporary accommodation allows us to better understand their needs and challenges so we can take action to relieve the massive pressure building on our homelessness services."

She added: "As we remain committed to building on this success and ensuring that our community receives the support it deserves locally, we continue to urge the government to do more on a national level so everyone can have safe and stable housing."

The drop-in surgery provided an opportunity for the housing team to assess what strategies were effective and identify areas for improvement.

With a focus on building on this work, more events are planned to ensure that residents have regular access to essential advice and support.

The success of the drop-in surgery reflects our proactive approach to tackling the crisis through community engagement and our dedication to ensuring the borough is fit for growth for all residents.

By addressing housing challenges head-on and providing tailored support, we are delivering on our vision of fostering a thriving community that prioritises safe and affordable housing for everyone.