How to Get a Council House

The London Borough of Hounslow is facing a housing crisis. Due to a dwindling stock of social housing, and rising demand from applicants struggling to find affordable private sector properties, the council is being forced to house families in temporary accommodation. As this predominantly consists of bed and breakfast rooms and private sector lets, the council is at the mercy of the private housing market, and has run up housing debts of ú3.5 million. This episode takes an unflinching look at Hounslow Council's attempts to curb its spiralling temporary accommodation bill, and meets the families who are stuck in inadequate housing or turned away without help. Hotel cleaner Danielle and her eight-year-old son have been evicted from their privately rented flat for failing to pay the rent. If the council find her responsible for becoming homeless, they won't receive help, social services will be called, and Danielle's son could be taken into care.