Temporary Housing in Brighton and Hove Reaches Record High of 2,358 Households

Record Numbers

The number of households in temporary housing across Brighton and Hove has reached 2,358 as of earlier this month, according to a report to the council's People Overview and Scrutiny Committee. This represents an increase from 2,292 households recorded in June. The total number of individuals affected stands at approximately 3,600, with 1,400 children currently homeless.

Projections show the situation could worsen significantly. The council forecasts that up to 2,860 households could require temporary housing by 2029 to 2030.

Cost Pressures

The council assessed nearly 50 households a week as qualifying for housing assistance during the first half of this year. Temporary accommodation is proving expensive to manage, with the current financial year budget forecast at £15.2 million against a budget of £14.6 million.

Spot-purchased accommodation, where the council books individual properties through the private sector, costs £46.95 per night after housing benefit and accounts for £5.3 million of annual spending across 309 households. Block-booked accommodation costs £34.45 per night after housing benefit, with 730 households housed this way at a forecast cost of £9.18 million this year.

New Strategy

The council plans to reduce its reliance on private providers by acquiring or building more temporary housing itself. A report to councillors stated that without further action, "demand is forecast to continue increasing, placing additional pressure on council budgets and homelessness services".

The Temporary Accommodation Supply Strategy seeks to shift towards "a planned portfolio of accommodation that is owned or controlled by the council". The council has already begun this process, with former right-to-buy homes being purchased back and converted for temporary use. In April, three former student houses in Bevendean were converted into family homes for the purpose.

A three-year programme is expected to add 500 temporary homes through a combination of long-leases and property purchases. The council has been awarded £16.4 million from the government's Local Authority Housing Fund to support this work.

The People Overview and Scrutiny Committee will debate the Temporary Accommodation Supply Strategy at Hove Town Hall on Tuesday, 10 November at 4pm. The council's cabinet is scheduled to consider the strategy on Thursday, 12 November at 10.30am. Both meetings will be webcast.

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