Sutton families moving into temporary or emergency accommodation to be supported with new resource

The guide has been developed by the Public Health team in conjunction with partners and is the first of its kind in Sutton to help families understand their situation and the support available to them. 

The guide, which is available as a hard copy and online has been developed to provide support and information to families moving into temporary or emergency accommodation on:

• understanding emergency and temporary accommodation including rights and responsibilities.
• how to access services that can provide support to claim the right benefits and improve a financial situation, including ways to cut costs, making a budget plan, support with food and practical things about the accommodation.
• education and childcare.
• looking after mental health and wellbeing and accessing health services.

The guide was produced with various partners who support those living in temporary or emergency accommodation, as well as with those who have experience of homelessness themselves.

Urwa. A. previously moved into temporary accommodation and has worked with Sutton Council to produce this guide to help others in her situation. 

Urwa. A. said;

“When you first move into temporary accommodation, especially when you have children, you have lots of questions. It is great to have a guide that contains all the information you need to know. It also makes you aware of all the services that can provide a lot of help which you may not have known about."

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Deputy Leader of the Council and Chair of the Housing, Economy & Business Committee, said; 

“This is a new resource to provide extra support for those parents moving into temporary or emergency accommodation. We understand this can be a very difficult and stressful time and want to help by ensuring each family has access to all the support available. 

We have seen unprecedented numbers of people finding themselves homeless and many are families with children. We cannot always provide in-borough temporary accommodation for them, but the council retains responsibility for the wellbeing of these families.

This guide is an excellent initiative between the Public Health team, Encompass, welfare support, voluntary sector partners and Home-Start Sutton to help families adjust as they move into temporary accommodation, as well as supporting them to find a more permanent home.

We are ambitious for Sutton, and that includes our residents in temporary accommodation.”

The guide to temporary accommodation is available online, or if you would like a hard copy please contact Encompass.

For further information please contact publichealth@sutton.gov.uk.