Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on progress being made to tackle high demands for homeless temporary accommodation, and the use of bed and breakfast provision.

Contact:  Sarah Holmes, Head of Housing Services, Tel 01484 221000.  

Cllr Moses Crook, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Housing, introduced the agenda item, advising the Panel that the information being presented, provides an update on temporary accommodation and bed and breakfast use in Kirklees. The report outlines the work being undertaken to address homelessness and temporary accommodation provision in Kirklees.  This work is carried out by the Housing Solution Service and funded through the general fund.  By way of clarification this is completely distinct from the landlord service, which is funded through rents and service charges, and has independent and ringfenced finances.

The Panel was informed that presentation of homelessness, usually results in the council having a duty to provide accommodation, and there has been a significant increase in these presentations nationally over recent years due to a range of factors.  For example, the cost-of-living crisis and a reduction in the availability of social housing stock.

This has resulted in an acute homelessness and temporary accommodation crisis nationally, with 130,000 households now in temporary accommodation, including 170,000 children, at a total cost to councils of £2.8 billion in 2024/2025.  In Kirklees the cost was approximately £7.6 million, however more importantly, the impact of this housing insecurity on families is profound.  Without secure and appropriate housing, people cannot benefit fully from opportunities in education or training, access jobs or support networks, eat healthy meals and other factors.

Experiencing homelessness, particularly when placed in unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation, can prevent individuals from rebuilding their lives. In Kirklees, there has been a consistent focus on reducing this demand in order to invest in residents and ensure that everyone, especially vulnerable groups and children, has the best opportunity to thrive. The report provides an update on these efforts and the progress achieved to date.

Cllr Crook, summarised some of the achievements advising the Panel that: -

-       There has been a 20% reduction in the presentation of homelessness due to interventions upstream

-       There has been a reduction in the use of bed and breakfast in the same time frame due to additional provision of more appropriate accommodation of 20%

-       By prioritising the most vulnerable, there has been a larger reduction in the number of families with children in bed and breakfast, a reduction of 58%.

Sarah Holmes, Head of Housing Services, reminded the Panel that the Council has a statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation to homeless households. This duty applies when a household is assessed as being at the point of homelessness and is also deemed a priority need.

The Panel was informed that the duty to provide temporary accommodation does not apply to every homeless household. For those who are not owed this duty, the Council has a range of other duties to support them, including assisting them to secure alternative accommodation and working to prevent homelessness by helping them remain in their current home where possible.

The Panel was informed that a number of interventions have been put in place to try and tackle the increasingly high demand  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23