Early intervention, digital tools and targeted support are helping residents to avoid homelessness in the first instance, before crisis point.Enfield is exceeding national averages in securing long-term housing solutions for local households.A major milestone has been reached by Enfield Council’s housing team with no households currently being placed in hotels as temporary accommodation.Just under two years ago, more than 360 households were in hotel rooms - accommodation recognised as unsuitable, especially for families with children.Thanks to new and improved funding from central government and a focus on prevention and long-term housing solutions including our National Placement policy, the Council has now ended its reliance on this form of provision.
Cllr Ayten Guzel, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Every family should live in a decent and stable home. This is a significant achievement for Enfield. By focusing on prevention, support and long-term solutions, we have been able to end the use of hotels for temporary accommodation. Our priority is to help families avoid homelessness in the first place and to secure stable homes where they can thrive.”
Improved advice services, financial assistance, tenancy support, and links to employment, mental health and wellbeing services are helping residents stay in their homes and secure longer-term stability. Digital tools such as the AdviceAid platform, available 24/7, offer tailored self-help housing advice, while updated information has provided clear guidance on eviction rent arrears and managing finances.
By using data intelligence through the Low Income Family Tracker (LIFT), Enfield has been able to identify at-risk households early and provide tailored support. This includes initiatives such as the Life Skills Project, which has helped households move into stable, private rented housing and supported many into employment.
Additionally, the Council’s childcare support campaign (September 2024) targeting households with children aged between 2 and 5 years saw 255 households move out of arrears, benefitting more than 1,000 children and increasing benefit incomes by £113 per household, on average.
Enfield is also bucking the national trend with strong prevention outcomes. According to the most recent statutory figures (April to June 2025), 58.9% of households secured accommodation for at least six months, compared to a national average of 54.2%. This demonstrates the impact of the Council’s prevention-first approach.
Enfield’s commitment to avoiding hotel placements has meant more families can remain in suitable housing and children’s schooling is disrupted less. Where households cannot be housed locally, the Council continues to make placements in affordable areas that offer longer-term security.
However, the lack of genuinely affordable housing and a stalled rental market continues to be an acute issue for London. In the last six months, Enfield Council has seen around 400 households reaching out as homeless each month. The Council will continue to work with the government and other partners to address the housing crisis and to seek longer-term solutions.