Now hostels are hit by ‘bed blocking’

Targets are to be set for moving homeless people from hostels
into permanent accommodation to alleviate a “bed-blocking” crisis,
the London Housing Board revealed this week.

In a consultation strategy, the board said the move would
“significantly reduce” the number of people spending long periods
in voluntary sector hostels.

Research by the board found that about one third of 15,000
people in hostels are ready to move on. But while they remained in
the accommodation they were blocking access to others, including
rough sleepers.

Homelessness organisations welcomed the proposed move-on target
but warned that a lack of suitable accommodation could make it
difficult to achieve.

A spokesperson for Homeless Link said: “People with little or no
support needs could move into private accommodation, but there is a
lack of effective rent deposit schemes and reliable landlords.
There is even less provision for people with high or medium support
needs.”

The survey is expected to be published before the end of the
year.