Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Executive Director, Community & Children’s Services concerning a summary of temporary accommodation (TA) usage under s.188 and s.193 of the Housing Act 1996 and on a discretionary basis as a measure for the relief of rough sleeping.

Officers noted the report outlined the use of temporary accommodation (TA) during the 2024/25 financial year, including legal frameworks, household compositions, and current operational status. A total of 164 households were placed in TA, all within Greater London. Notably, no children were accommodated in bed and breakfast settings. Over half of the placements were made on a discretionary basis, with the remainder under statutory obligations. The total cost of providing TA amounted to £1,716,131—an increase of £686,175 compared to the previous year.

The following points were noted:

• Early Intervention and Prevention: A Member raised concerns about the need for alternative approaches to prevent homelessness, particularly for families with children, to avoid disruption to education and social networks. Officers responded that statutory duties include mediation and eviction prevention, while discretionary placements are used to ensure safety. TA is also employed to support rough sleeping relief, which is recognised as good practice by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
• Housing Market Challenges: Officers highlighted the challenges posed by high private rental costs and limited availability of social housing, which contribute to extended stays in TA. Collaborative efforts are underway with other authorities to improve access to private sector housing.
• Social Housing Allocation: In response to a question raised by a Member about alignment between social housing allocation and homelessness services, officers confirmed that ongoing reviews and collaboration with housing colleagues are in place, particularly to support vulnerable groups such as care leavers.
• Prison Release Coordination: A Member raised the issue of early prison releases and the importance of coordination with probation services to prevent homelessness. Officers noted that the last wave had minimal impact but agreed on the need to prepare for future releases and enhance referral processes.
• Veteran Support: A Member asked about tracking veterans among the homeless population. Officers confirmed that veteran status is recorded and used to access additional support services.
• Financial Pressures and Forecasting: A Member questioned the long-term financial implications of TA, particularly for those under main duty. Officers acknowledged the need for improved forecasting and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand partnerships with the private rented sector, despite limitations in scale.

RESOLVED – That, the report be noted.