Why transitional
housing exists.
A category created by statutory need — not market timing. The constraint is supply of compliant, professionally managed homes, not demand.
Statutory demand that cannot be deferred or reduced by policy. Local authorities carry a legal duty to house those assessed as in need.
The highest recorded figure since records began. Growth is accelerating, driven by rising private rents and reduced social housing stock.
The bill to local authorities for housing people in hotels, B&Bs and unsuitable placements. Professionally managed transitional housing costs less.
The constraint is supply, not demand.
Transitional housing is a statutory obligation. Local authorities have a legal duty to house those assessed as in need of emergency or temporary accommodation. This obligation cannot be deferred, reduced or removed by policy change.
The category was created by law, not market timing. Demand is structurally embedded in the welfare system. The shortage is not of tenants — it is of compliant, professionally managed homes that local authorities can place people into.
A category built
by law, not invention.
Five decades of legislation have created the statutory framework that makes transitional housing demand permanent and non-discretionary.
First statutory duty to house homeless people — creating the legal foundation of the category.
Local authority duties significantly expanded. Eligibility broadened and assessment framework strengthened.
Prevention duty introduced — local authorities required to act before homelessness occurs.
The most significant expansion of duties since 1977. Extended the duty to a broader range of households.
112,000+ households in temporary accommodation — the highest recorded figure since records began.
The shortage is not of tenants — it is of compliant, professionally managed homes ready for local authority placement.
Investor-owned residential homes placed under Myshon management fill the supply gap with institutional-grade operation.