Skip to content

Covid-19: Temporary coronavirus housing 'utterly shameful'

Conditions inside some housing lived in by people vulnerable to coronavirus are "utterly shameful," according to former government adviser, Dame Louise Casey.

A BBC News investigation found people shielding in homes with frequent leaks, widespread damp and even rodents living in a kitchen ceiling.

The government says reducing the number of households in temporary accommodation is a priority.

Reporter: Rianna Croxford

Producer: Noel Titheradge

Cameraman: Adam Walker

18 February 2021

Homelessness in the UK

Sheltered housing

Explore More

Bob the therapy dog, sat underneath a try in a pool of light at nighttime

Meet Bob the therapy dog who supports the homeless

Lewys

Homeless man inspires boy, 8, to run 26 miles

A white wooden bungalow with blue trim, it has a small front garden and is surrounded by fencing

As council taxes rise, what makes a second home?

Sonny, who has short black hair and is wearing a black rain coat, walking through Edinburgh's Grassmarket area during one of his guided tours of the city.

'I was homeless - now I show tourists my city's hidden side'

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Kitchen porter Adebowale Adebola

London restaurant helping to tackle homelessness

A woman doing acrobatics above a toy horse

'We turned city's empty spaces into playgrounds'

Joanne Scott

Disabled woman forced to sleep in stairwell

Two bearded men dressed casually sit next to each other in a park

Grenfell survivor: 'Losing my brother destroyed me'

Woman next to white van which offers showers

Shower van helps Birmingham's homeless

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

PM: State of flats owned by Labour MP 'unacceptable'

Former homeless and tour guide Andy holds guided trips around Manchester

Former homeless man becomes city centre tour guide

Tents left behind after Leeds Festival

Hundreds of tents left behind after Leeds Festival

Locals discuss plans for second homes

Locals support plans for new rules on holiday lets

Dan Roantree

Renter's 'disheartening' search to buy a home

Edinburgh, Fife & East

Self-build homes in Lewisham

Moving in to London's self-build community

Tinessa Kaur in her barrister robes

Sikh woman becomes first to win barrister award

David Bedford drawing outside a London restaurant

Homeless artist calls for fairer street licences

Tour guide Halimot gives a talk in east London

London tour guides help discover the unseen

Stacey and her son Archie

Finally our forever home after 10 years on housing list

Billy smiling at camera

Boy, 13, praised for two-year tent fundraiser

Leeds & West Yorkshire

A snowy tree in Llanuwchllyn, Gwynedd

Watch: Snowy scenes as cold snap hits UK

Several weather warnings have been issued as the first snow of the season hit parts of the UK.

A group of schoolchildren in purple jumpers singing Happy Birthday to King Charles

Children sing Happy Birthday to the King

The monarch smiled as the group of youngsters sang to him with their teachers during a visit for a food poverty project.

A composite image of June Spencer as a young and older woman

Watch: June Spencer recounts her lifetime on The Archers

The radio star, who played Peggy Woolley in The Archers, has died aged 105.

Antonio Banderas looking at a Blue Peter badge next to Olivia Colman who is excitedly putting her badge on. A sign in the background reads Paddington in Peru

Watch: Colman's Blue Peter badge delight baffles co-star

The Oscar-winning actress appeared overwhelmed with joy when presenter Shini Muthukrishnan awarded her the badge.

Prince William playing rugby with school children in Cape Town

Prince William plays rugby with children in Cape Town

The Prince of Wales is on a trip in South Africa promoting his Earthshot environmental prize.

a woman looking at an off-screen interviewer. Her gaze is direct and she is wearing a black top and plum-coloured lipstick

'Little girls were threatened in the most depraved way'

Catherine Kierans from the PPS explains how Alexander McCartney abused young girls online.

King Charles standing at a podium

King: 'It is vital that we understand our history'

King Charles says says "the most painful aspects of our past continue to resonate" in a speech to Commonwealth leaders.

A still from the bodycam footage showing the moments before Chris Kaba was shot

Bodycam video shows moments before Chris Kaba shooting

Police release bodycam footage showing moments before Chris Kaba is shot.

Scorpion

'Our flatmate found a scorpion in her Shein parcel'

A university student had a shock when she found a live scorpion in a clothing parcel from fast fashion firm Shein.

Princess of Wales

Kate in Southport for surprise first public visit since chemo

The Princess of Wales arrives in Southport for her first official engagement since finishing cancer treatment.

Learner motorbike rider uses phone while overtaking

Watch: Dangerous driving caught on camera

More people are being prosecuted for dangerous driving thanks to a huge increase in footage submitted to police by the public.

King Charles dancing

'He's got the moves' - King tries Samoan dance

The King and Queen met guests representing the Commonwealth at a St James's Palace reception.

Prince William and David Beckham pose in front of a helicopter

'East End boy' Beckham helps with Prince William fundraiser

Beckham says he was "excited and proud" to help raise money for the London Air Ambulance service.

Prince Harry smiles at WellChild Awards

Prince Harry arrives in London for charity awards

Prince Harry poses for photographs as he visits London for the WellChild Awards ceremony.

Harrison in the water, the sun is shining on the water and there is a boat behind him

Teenager swims Bristol Channel before rugby game

Harrison, 15, swam "non-stop" for several hours, then played rugby the next morning.

Huw Edwards outside court

Watch: Silent Huw Edwards arrives at court

The former BBC News presenter has arrived at Westminster Magistrates’ Court filmed by TV cameras, photographers and watched by journalists.

Gary Lineker, Joe Hart and Danny Murphy sit in the Match of the Day studio, with a backdrop of the Royal Albert Hall

Match of the day or Last Night of the Proms? Well, it's both!

To mark the 60th anniversary of Match of the Day, the football pundits had a go at some Proms commentary.

King Charles grins as three rugby players wearing black New Zealand t-shirts give him hug

Watch: King surprised by 'very healing' hug with rugby players

King Charles laughed after accepting the surprise offer from a player on New Zealand's women's team.

Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis reflects on impact of Prince Andrew interview

The 2019 interview, widely viewed as a "car-crash", saw the prince talk candidly to Maitlis about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Dionne Barrett

'Absolutely sickening': Mum reacts to early release of son's killer

Dionne Barrett said it is 'absolutely sickening' that a man jailed for her son's manslaughter will be released.