To provide Cabinet with an update on homelessness and temporary accommodation in the district along with seeking delegation for future decisions. This update follows on from the report presented to Cabinet on 11 April 2025 and in particular the resolution at that meeting to set up a Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Working Group and to report back to Cabinet within six months setting out the initial outcomes from the activities of the working group.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)     notes the update provided in this report on the activities and initial outcomes of the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Working Group;

(b)     authorises the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for housing to approve any future revisions to policies associated with temporary accommodation provision and the granting of financial assistance to homeless households;

(c)     agrees in principle, as set out in the main body of the report,  the proposed use of the Council’s existing housing stock or other assets as temporary accommodation, and requests the Corporate Director (Operations & Delivery), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing & Planning, to explore such opportunities for implementation along with undertaking any associated decision making as necessary; and

(d)     requests Officers to undertake a procurement exercise to identify future providers of high-quality temporary accommodation within the private sector aimed at improving quality whist providing price certainty.

Cabinet considered a report of the Housing & Planning Portfolio Holder (A.5) whichprovided it with an update on homelessness and temporary accommodation in the District along with seeking a delegation for future decisions. This update followed on from the report presented to Cabinet on 11 April 2025 and, in particular, the resolution at that meeting to set up a Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Working Group and to report back to Cabinet within six months setting out the initial outcomes from the activities of that working group.

It was reported that this update was being provided beyond the originally indicated six months due to capacity and resourcing challenges and to ensure the report’s recommendations aligned with the Housing Strategy 2026-30, that had been developed during the overlapping period.

Cabinet was cognisant that homelessness and temporary accommodation provision continued to place significant pressure on the Council’s general fund budget – there had been an associated net spend of £2.539m in 2024/25.

In terms of further background and context, the Council had received 2190 approaches from homeless households during 2024/25. 475 households had been placed into temporary accommodation of which 215 had been households either with children or expecting a child. Temporary accommodation placements in previous years had been 412 in 2023/24 and 363 in 2022/23. Placements in 2025/26 to 31 December 2025 had been 358.

A summary of some key points, actions and outcomes form the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Working Group was as follows:

1.       The group had met on a total of 12 occasions since April last year with a clear focus and agenda, including looking at risks, demand and supply.

2.       Attendees not only included key Housing Staff but also included Senior Officers, including the Council’s three Statutory Officers as necessary. The Leader had also attended regularly, showing a strong interest in the work of the group.

3.       Additional officer resources had been identified and put in place including a Homelessness Early Intervention Officer and an Officer focussed on supporting those seeking or who had sought asylum in the country.

4.       A review and reintroduction of appropriate service charges for those placed / living in temporary accommodation.

5.       Reviews of two policies associated with temporary accommodation and rent deposits aimed at reducing expenditure and encouraging self-sufficiency from those who sought help from the Council.

6.       Legal research and advice on MHCLG’s Guidance: Retained Right to Buy receipts and their use for replacement supply.

7.       Review of temporary accommodation procurement arrangements and proposals to undertake a procurement exercise to ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.

8.       The review and drafting of a revised homelessness and rough sleeping strategy.

9.       Monitoring of national developments such as the changes to the way Government would award homelessness, rough sleeping and domestic abuse funding to local authorities from 2026/27.

10.    Although the work of Group would continue to support the Council in responding to the on-going challenges and the delivery of the Homelessness Strategy, there was now a prioritised focus on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 106