Homelessness putting pressure on council finances
Kirklees Council said rough sleeping was a "big challenge" in the borough
- Published
A council has warned the cost of temporary accommodation due to homelessness is putting "significant financial pressures" on its budget.
Kirklees Council said some people in the borough are spending two years or more in temporary accommodation.
A report said 10,286 homelessness assessments, triggered by people presenting to the authority as homeless or being threatened with homelessness, were undertaken between April 2018 and September 2023.
The council said all authorities were "facing increasing demand with fewer housing options available to help people in need".
The number of homeless households needing temporary accommodation in Kirklees had risen "very significantly" since 2018, the report added.
"This steep rise is indicative of the difficulties faced in sourcing affordable housing and is in line with national trends."
Rough sleeping in Kirklees was also "a big challenge", according to the report.
At the last count, in November, there were 14 people sleeping rough across the district.
It said being asked to leave home by family members or friends, being subjected to domestic abuse or the end of a private rented tenancy were the main reasons for households finding themselves homeless.
Many of those facing homelessness were also considered vulnerable, with mental health identified as the most common support need.
'Four priorities'
According to a supporting document, the local authority has faced a "significant increase in costs" relating to temporary accommodation in recent years.
The cost of hotels had risen from £3.1m in 2022 to £7.2m in 2024, although the document said not all that sum was for accommodation for homeless people.
The report said four priorities had been identified to help tackle the problem of homelessness in Kirklees.
Those include early help and intervention, stronger partnerships to secure the right accommodation, access to appropriate long term housing and tackling rough sleeping.
Moses Crook, cabinet member for transport and housing, said Kirklees was experiencing the same "upsetting trend" as others across the country.
"Local authorities and partners are facing increasing demand with fewer housing options available to help people in need," he said.
He said the length of time residents remain in temporary accommodation did vary depending on their needs and circumstances, but only a small number of residents were in temporary accommodation after 24 months.
"In this small proportion of cases, it has been challenging to secure the right size of accommodation the household needs.
"Our priority is to ensure that residents in this position are properly cared for and have a safe, secure place to stay whilst more long-term solutions are secured.’’
The council's strategy is due to be discussed at a meeting on Monday.
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