Families in London temporary housing told they cannot use in-built air conditioning

Some residents at Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, London, experienced such stifling conditions young children became ill. Photograph: Paul Gapper/Alamy

Homeless families placed in temporary accommodation in London were told they could not use the in-built air conditioning as it had “not been offered as an amenity” for them, leading to two children being hospitalised during recent heatwaves.

Other families placed in Britannia Point in Colliers Wood, south-west London, also experienced such stifling conditions that young children became ill. The company managing some of the tenancies involved told the Guardian households in temporary accommodation had now been told they could use the air conditioning.