Homelessness isn’t just about rough sleeping—it also affects thousands of families living in temporary accommodation, an often-overlooked crisis in the UK. As of June 2024, 123,100 households, including 159,380 children, were in temporary housing across England.[1] The National Homelessness Property Fund 2 (NHPF2) is helping to change this by providing safe, stable homes for families in need. One of those families is Hamia* and her two children, who are now housed and supported by Notting Hill Genesis, one of the fund’s London-based housing partners.

After growing up in Algeria and then moving to the UK, Hamia was moved into inadequate temporary accommodation with her two young children: 

“I had some bad experiences when it comes to housing; the first one was that the landlord increased the rent by more than 25%. Then I was put in emergency accommodation in different places. Some were inadequate with evidence of pests, mould and troublesome neighbours. With two young children, my main concern was their safety and wellbeing.” 

Unfortunately, Hamia’s situation is a reality for many across the UK - women constitute 60% of homeless adults in temporary accommodation, despite representing only 51% of the general population.[2] This is where NHPF2 and Notting Hill Genesis were able to provide a safe home and support for Hamia and her children, allowing them to move out of temporary accommodation. Hamia describes her new home as her “sanctuary.” 

“It is where I find my peace and tranquility. It is in a quiet area and the neighbours are nice. The new home has given me stability and a sense of settlement after moving through different places. I have received all the support I needed, any time I have an issue, it is always solved.  

It is very important for me and my children to have a stable home so we can concentrate on life and the challenges it throws at us. I am more settled, and the children had stability to focus on their academic achievement. Since I am in this home, I have finished a university degree (BA honours in Early Teaching and Learning) and got promoted at work to a manager position. I love my job and like to work with children to help them realise their potential and help them build a good start in life. Goals for the future consist of opening my own nursery and progressing in my studies.” 

Hamia and her children are able to now settle into a new life and plan for the future. Yet there are almost 1.3 million households, many like hers, waiting for a permanent housing solution.[3]  

About Notting Hill Genesis 

Notting Hill Genesis is a large housing association managing more then 66,000 homes, across a range of tenures, with the commitment to deliver affordable housing. 

These homes are a vital lifeline for many families who wouldn’t otherwise have a home: the support provided by Notting Hill Genesis goes beyond bricks and mortar. Notting Hill Genesis works with tenants to make positive plans for other areas in their life, such as tackling mental health, addiction issues and finding employment, training or education. 

About the National Homelessness Property Fund 2 

National Homelessness Property Fund 2 was created in response to the growing need for affordable housing, providing safe and decent homes for people in housing crisis, and launched in December 2020. Initially, the fund’s focus was on providing homes in the Greater Manchester region, but has expanded into other regions across the UK including Bristol, Oxford, Merseyside and Gloucestershire.

As of December 2024, the fund has a total of 371 properties in its portfolio, of which 321 are now tenanted. An additional 50 are currently in refurb and another 35 in conveyancing.

The fund is aiming to purchase 1,500 family and one-bedroom homes - including from portfolio purchases - across the UK, to house more than 16,000 people over its lifetime. 

Read the fund’s latest social impact report here 

*name changed 

NOTES

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[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/statutory-homelessness-in-england-april-to-june-2024/statutory-homelessness-in-england-january-to-march-2024-infographic

[2] https://england.shelter.org.uk/media/press_release/women_are_some_of_the_biggest_losers_in_englands_broken_housing_system?

[3] https://england.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/policy_and_research/policy_library/social_housing_a_prescription_for_better_health_and_wellbeing