Families on Isle of Wight describe challenging conditions in temporary caravan housing

“This is where we eat all our meals, where the children play, where we watch television and then where two of us sleep. All on one sofabed.” Charlotte Pugmire, along with her husband Mark and their two daughters, has resided in a caravan near Cowes since July. This temporary housing has been supplied by the Isle of Wight council for individuals experiencing homelessness. Council leader Phil Jordan expressed concern regarding individuals residing in unsuitable housing. He stated, “There’s no immediate answer but we are working on long term solutions.” Mrs. Pugmire commented: “It was OK in the summer when we were outside a lot. “But now we’re cramped inside a tiny space most of the time, which is taking a toll on everyone’s mental health. It’s like living in hell.” She noted that the sole heating source is a gas fire in the lounge area, further stating: “It’s really hard at night now, it’s cold and damp in here.” She predicted that Christmas would be “one we’ll remember, for the wrong reasons”. The situation of the Pugmire family is reportedly common. They had been private renters until their landlord chose to sell the property, after which no other housing was financially accessible. Upon becoming homeless, they were initially placed in a budget hotel. The caravan subsequently provided to them features two bedrooms; one is occupied by their six-year-old daughter, who is recovering from childhood cancer and possesses a compromised immune system. However, a travel cot does not fit in the second bedroom, necessitating its placement in the lounge, where Mark Pugmire, the father, also stated he sleeps. “Almost everything we own is in here, but there’s hardly any storage space so every corner has boxes piled up.” Mrs. Pugmire informed me that they are unable to use the shower as its tray has broken through the floor. She expressed the belief that residing in a tourist destination complicates renting, as property owners are aware they can secure higher holiday rental rates during the summer. “There’s such a small amount of socially affordable properties and every time a housing application gets rejected, it means more people end up in situations like this.” Mrs. Pugmire stated that many individuals associate homelessness with men sleeping rough and do not envision themselves in such circumstances. “No-one has any idea what the horror of it is.” Fawn Britton had been residing in a caravan at the same location. She is considered fortunate, as she and her four children were relocated to a two-bedroom flat situated above a shop in Shanklin. However, the three younger children share a single bedroom, and Ms. Britton must sleep on a mattress in the lounge to allow her teenage daughter the other bedroom. Furthermore, there is no dining table or adequate space for her to prepare for her GCSEs next year. The flat lacks an oven or hob. She stated, “We’re living on tinned vegetables and microwave dinners,” adding, “And a lot of sandwiches.” All four children are enrolled in school and nursery in Newport, located 10 miles away, requiring her to spend two hours daily commuting for drop-offs and pick-ups. She remarked, “All my support network, people who could help me, my family and the children’s dad are all in Newport so we’re very isolated here.” Her primary concern is the potential duration of her stay in the flat, given that there is no specified time limit for individuals in temporary accommodation. The Isle of Wight council reported that 187 families are currently residing in temporary or emergency accommodation. To fulfill its statutory obligation of preventing homelessness, the council utilizes hotels, bed and breakfasts, caravan sites, and holiday lets. The council’s expenditure on temporary accommodation averages £55,825 weekly. Leader Phil Jordan noted a long-standing issue of insufficient affordable housing on the Island. He cited “Air B&B” as one contributing factor, alongside “personal circumstances” where wages in the area are not notably high. He stated, “There’s not enough homes,” adding, “But we are working on supporting the building of more affordable homes.” A government spokesperson commented: “We have inherited a housing system which is broken, which is why we are committed to the biggest increase in affordable housing in a generation, and to ensuring our social security system is fair and sustainable.” They further stated that individuals who deem their allocated accommodation unsuitable may lodge a complaint with the council, and if still dissatisfied, they can escalate the matter to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. Ms. Britton has initiated this complaint process, while Mrs. Pugmire has recently been informed of potential eligibility for a flat in the New Year.