A housing and homelessness charity has absolutely nailed the problem with temporary accommodation in the UK through its stall at the Labour Party conference.
Working with IKEA, Shelter presented a mock-up of a UK property in an abysmal state, complete with bedding on the floor and a mouldy shower.
The image of the cramped and unhygienic space is meant to shine a light on hidden homelessness, and is based on lived experiences.
According to the charity’s website, one in three adults in Britain – 17.5 million people – are impacted by the housing emergency right now, and live in “overcrowded, dangerous, unstable or unaffordable housing”.
On top of that, 33% more people sleep rough compared to a decade ago; 45% of private renters say rent worries are making them anxious or depressed; and a quarter of a million social rented homes were sold or demolished in the past decade.
Shelter is launching a campaign ahead of next year’s general election to encourage leaders of every political party to commit to bold action, including a fairer housing system.
The picture, first posted on social media by openDemocracy reporter Ruby Lott-Lavigna, was reposted by the charity along with the caption: “No family should be stuck experiencing homelessness in damaging, costly temporary accommodation.
″@IKEAUK’s stall at #LabourConference23 shows the need for investment in social homes. #BuildSocialHousing.”
Lott-Lavigna’s post on X, formerly Twitter, received more than 800,000 views in less than 24 hours, and more than 12,000 likes.
The display also received huge supp on X: