The number of households in temporary housing in Brighton and Hove has reached a new high of more than 2,300.
In June, a five-year high of 2,292 households were in temporary housing but the figure has since risen further.
A report to Brighton and Hove City Council’s People Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting next Tuesday (10 November) said that earlier this month there were 2,358 households without a permanent home.
The number of individuals is about almost 3,600, including 1,400 children who are homeless.
Forecasts predict that up to 2,860 households will be homeless and needing temporary housing by 2029-30.
The information comes as the committee is due to discuss the council’s Temporary Accommodation Supply Strategy which aims to reduce the amount spent on housing through the private sector.
A recent report to the council’s cabinet included a budget forecast for the current financial year which projected spending of £15.2 million on temporary housing and allocations compared with a budget of £14.6 million.
According to the report to the overview and scrutiny committee, the council assessed nearly 50 households a week as qualifying as homeless and in need of housing in the first half of this year.
Some 309 households were in spot-purchased accommodation, which costs £46.95 a night after housing benefit, costing the council £5.3 million this year. The aim is to cut this figure by more than 40 per cent by next March.
A further 730 households were in block-booked accommodation which costs the council £34.45 per night after housing benefit, with a forecast spend this year of £9.18 million.
The overview and scrutiny committee report asked councillors to comment on a proposal for the council to buy or build more temporary housing itself rather than paying private providers.
The report said: “The council remains reliant on accommodation that is expensive, market-dependent, difficult to secure and outside direct council control.
“Without further intervention, demand is forecast to continue increasing, placing additional pressure on council budgets and homelessness services.
“The Temporary Accommodation Supply Strategy seeks to move the council away from expensive spot-purchased and block-booked accommodation towards a planned portfolio of accommodation that is owned or controlled by the council.”
In April, the council’s cabinet approved changes to its temporary housing policy, taking advantage of empty council homes and using more homes controlled by the council.
Former council homes sold under the “right to buy” have been bought back and allocated for temporary housing.
The council publicised an example in April when three former student houses in Bevendean were converted back into family homes for use as temporary housing by the council.
A three-year programme is expected to add 500 temporary homes to the council’s stock through a mix of long-leases and home purchases.
The report said: “Prioritising leasing alongside targeted acquisitions allows the council to maximise the impact of its available resources.
“Leasing requires substantially lower capital outlay than purchasing properties, enabling the council to bring forward additional supply without committing significant borrowing or reducing capacity for other strategic investments.
“It also offers flexibility to scale provision in response to homelessness pressures and changing operational need.”
The council has been awarded £16.4 million from the government’s Local Authority Housing Fund to buy homes to use as temporary housing.
To qualify for council accommodation, people must
- have a right to live in the UK
- have a local connection to Brighton and Hove
- be homeless
- be a member or former member of the armed forces
- have a statutory duty to be housed
- be a survivor of domestic abuse
- be a care leaver
- need a new home due to witness protection
The Temporary Accommodation Supply Strategy is due to be debated by the council’s People Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Hove Town Hall next Tuesday (10 November). The meeting is scheduled to start at 4pm.
It is also expected to be considered by the council’s cabinet at another meeting at Hove Town Hall which is due to start at 10.30am on Thursday 12 November.
Both meetings are scheduled to be webcast.
