Plan to increase and improve housing for homeless

The scheme would increase the amount of temporary accommodation Kirklees Council can access

More temporary housing could be made available for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in part of West Yorkshire, if plans are approved.

As part of the proposals, Kirklees Council would enter into longer-term lease agreements with already identified private landlords.

According to the authority, this would reduce its reliance on hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation, therefore cutting costs.

Such housing was also not considered to be suitable, especially for larger family groups, Kirklees Council added.

As part of its duty to provide help and support to people who are homeless or those facing losing their home, the council can be required to provide temporary housing for up to 56 days.

This is alongside helping people secure a more permanent home.

'Huge step'

Moses Crook, the council's deputy leader, said: "For people struggling with homelessness, we have both a statutory and a moral duty of care, to make sure they get the help and support they need to find new homes."

Crook said the authority had seen a "huge rise" in homelessness in recent years, which had "taken a toll" on its available provision and budget.

"We want to be able to provide better temporary accommodation for those who really need it, and it's vital we find a way to do this which doesn't have such a financial impact," he said.

If the new approach is approved by the council's cabinet on 11 February, it would enable it to enter into a new lease with an already identified property.

That would more than double the number of new family units currently available for the purposes of temporary accommodation and, in future, secure additional leases more quickly and easily.

"It's a huge step in the right direction – not just saving money, but also providing families, often including children, with more comfort and dignity at a tremendously difficult time," Crook said.

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