Who we are
We are Better TA - an informal alliance of London organisations working with and alongside people living in temporary accommodation.
Together, we are campaigning for a simple but powerful goal: to ensure every TA placement in London provides at least the Five Basics, alongside working to improve standards and conditions.
Our wider mission is to ensure that stays in TA are as short, safe and healthy as possible.
Our Campaign Asks
We’re asking councils to commit to guaranteeing Five Basics for all TA placements:
Cook
Where a kitchen is not possible, councils should provide cooking facilities like microwaves and plug-in hobs, as well as supporting access to community kitchens. Every resident in TA without a kitchen should be supplied with consistent funding to cover three nutritious meals a day.
Wash
Ensure free-to-use washing machines and dryers in all TA placements; where this is not possible, councils should cover laundrette costs.
Connect
Provide reliable Wi-Fi for TA residents at no extra cost, for example through a free Data Sim Card scheme.
Store
Offer free, local and secure storage to every TA resident. Councils must end the practice of determining which items are eligible for storage and avoid working with providers which charge to access belongings.
Understand
Provide a named officer and phone number for support with repairs and case updates, accessible TA information packs, and a monthly meeting, phone call, email or text explaining application status
Why it matters
Lack of these basics harms people’s physical and mental health, disrupts children’s education, isolates families.
This is a public health issue and one that can be supported with tangible solutions that councils can take action on right now.
What else we’ve done so far
With support from Trust for London the Better TA alliance has brought together research, frontline insight and lived experience to develop this campaign.