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 review of the provision and associated options to increase the supply of Temporary Accommodation, that aligned with the Highlight Priorities agreed by Cabinet in November 2025. This review included the potential use of the Council’s existing HRA stock.

11.    Although subject to further activities and decisions, the HRA Capital Programme from 2026/27 would include the necessary budgetary provision that would therefore be available to support this on-going review of Temporary Accommodation.

 

The Housing and Planning Portfolio Holder made the following statement:-

 

“Leader, this report is to provide Cabinet with an update regarding Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation within the District, along with seeking delegation for future decisions.

 

Cabinet will recall a report presented on 11^th April 2025, setting out details of homelessness and temporary accommodation in Tendring and the impact locally, together with the associated level of spending on temporary accommodation, and the resolution to set up a Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Working Group, under my chairmanship, as well as an update being provided to Cabinet within six months, setting out the initial outcomes from the activities of the group.

 

This report is now provided, slightly later than anticipated, due to capacity and resourcing challenges, but I make no apologies for that, as you can see from the comprehensive report provided by the Assistant Director – Housing & Environment, to whom I am extremely grateful.

 

As we all know, Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation provision places significant pressure on the General fund budget, with a spend of £2,539,000 pounds in 2024/25. Further details of expenditure are shown on Page 155.

 

This is likely to continue with forecast and budget proposals for the forthcoming years set out elsewhere on the Agenda.

 

To give Cabinet some background, in 2024/2025 the Council received approaches from 2,190 households, who were either homeless or about to become homeless. Of those, 475 were placed into temporary accommodation, 215 of those were households with a child/children or expecting. In 2023/24 temporary accommodation placements were 412, and in 2022/2023 were 363. Up to the end of December 2025 358 households were in temporary accommodation. Further details are shown on Pages 158/159.

 

Leader, as you know, the Working Group has met on a total of twelve occasions since April 2025, with a focus and agenda, including risks, demand and supply. Attendees not only include key housing staff, but also senior staff, including the council’s three statutory officers, as well as yourself Leader.

 

I will set out a brief summary of what has been achieved, but would point out there is more detail within the report:

 

1)       Additional officer resource requirements were identified and a Homelessness Early intervention Officer together with an officer focussed on supporting those seeking or sought asylum in the country, have been put in place.

2)       Review and reintroduction of appropriate service charges for those placed/living in temporary accommodation.

3)       Reviews of policies associated with temporary accommodation and rent deposits aimed at reducing expenditure and encouraging self-sufficiency from those seeking help.

4)       Legal research and advice on Government guidance in regard to RTB receipts and their use for replacement supply of housing.

5)       Review of temporary accommodation procurements with proposals to undertake a procurement exercise to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation.

6)       Review and drafting of a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which is also on today’s agenda.

7)       Ongoing monitoring of national developments, such as the way Government has changed the award of funding for homelessness, rough sleeping and domestic abuse to local authorities from 2026/27.

8)       Continuing to support the Council in responding to the ongoing challenges and the delivery of the Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy, with a prioritised focus on reviewing the provision and associated options to increase the supply of temporary accommodations., including the potential use of the Councils’s own housing stock.

 

The full details in regard to the above, are shown on Pages 159-162.

 

Leader, since the report presented to Cabinet in April 2025, the Renters’ Rights Act has received royal assent, with phased implementation from 1^st May 2026.  The first implementations are as follows:

 

Abolition of Section 21: Landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason.

End of Fixed-Term Tenancies: All tenancies become open-ended Assured Periodic Tenancies.

Rent Increases: Limited to once per year with proper notice (Section 13).

No Rental Bidding: Landlords must list a price and can't accept offers above it.

Stronger Protections: Against discrimination (children, benefits) and for repairs.

 

It is expected that private renters will have increased security of tenure with the intention that homelessness is reduced. An unintended consequence is that private landlords may leave the market and therefore the number of rental properties will reduce leading to a potential increase in homelessness.

 

It is too early to predict the impact that will be experienced in Tendring.

 

Leader, that is all I have to say in relation to the report, the recommendations are shown on Pages 152/153 and I commend them to Cabinet.

 

However, Leader, I think it is only right that I pay tribute to our staff, those who deal first hand with people who are homeless or facing homelessness. We, I hope, have never been in that position, and when people are facing their own personal struggles, at their lowest ebb, it is our staff who deal with them professionally, with compassion, courtesy and kindness.

 

They are a credit to this council and themselves and I think it is only right that we acknowledge that, not only as Cabinet and Council, but personally.”

 

To update Cabinet, thereby complying with previous decisions and ensuring that appropriate delegations were in place for the decisions to be taken over the coming months:-

 

It was moved by Councillor Baker, seconded by Councillor Stephenson and:-

 

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.