Hackney: Four die in a year while in temporary housing

Four individuals have lost their lives while residing in emergency accommodations within a council district in East London within the last twelve months.

Jennifer Wynter, an employee of Hackney Council, acknowledged that there are a large number of people that they are unable to find suitable housing for.

The topic was brought up during a council meeting just recently. Councillors were informed that 579 people are currently residing in temporary housing in Hackney.

Guy Nicholson, the deputy mayor, stated that the council's goal is to create a strategy for supported accommodation in Hackney by the fall.

Many individuals in TA lack stable housing and struggle with intricate mental and physical health issues, as well as occasional substance abuse problems.

In June of last year, 75% of the residents were determined to require SA.

In South Africa, caregivers give personalized support to residents based on their specific needs, instead of using a uniform approach like Tanya, who sees it as limited and not ideal.

"We do not make special accommodations for anyone in TA, regardless of their personal characteristics," she clarified.

Ms. Wynter expressed her strong worry about the number during the meeting.

She also stated that they understand that TA is not a conducive setting for these individuals and will not aid in their recovery.

When questioned about the future expansion of SA properties, Ms. Wynter told the council that they were not planning on having anything available until 2028/29. She mentioned that this delay could be harmful for individuals in TA who would benefit from living in supported housing.

"What we possess is a very narrow pathway mostly facilitated by a single service provider and just three locations," stated Ms. Wynter.

Green Party assembly member Zoe Garbett urged the council and important partners to take immediate action to tackle the urgent situation in supported housing. It is crucial that individuals receive the necessary assistance and are treated respectfully.

"This issue has been addressed in neighboring areas but ignored in Hackney. It is clear that there is a problem and steps need to be taken to rectify it."

During the meeting, Ms. Wynter discussed how in the past, supported housing was primarily targeted towards individuals who were not homeless but had various complex requirements, such as the elderly, rather than homeless individuals.

Mr. Nicholson stated that supported housing has not been properly comprehended, nor has it been included in Hackney's housing strategy work up to now.

He mentioned that the housing needs assessment done by the council before did not consider SA. However, he clarified that they are now focusing on this in more detail with the goal of developing a SA strategy by the fall.

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