Housing struggles as council sees rise in homeless

A report for Telford and Wrekin Council said an increase in families saying they were homeless had led to a shortage in social housing in the area

Increasing number of families saying they are homeless has led to a social housing shortage in Shropshire, according to a council report.

Telford and Wrekin councillors meet on Thursday to consider progress on a health and wellbeing strategy including a report from housing services.

The service is dealing with a rising numbers of people wanting help and a lack of affordable large family properties.

Since April last year, the council had stopped 365 applicants from becoming homeless, it added.

The report also identified a shortage of one-bedroom properties for single clients saying they are homeless.

The opening of a new eight-bed refuge for those homeless due to domestic abuse, was marked as a "key progress".

The council also opened a new five-bed unit of temporary accommodation for singles and adults, according to the report.

The supply of temporary accommodation has been increased to reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation described as "not suitable for families".

The report also described using data on housing needs to provide more specialist and adapted accommodation, including for care leavers.

“[We are] developing work with children’s services to ensure young people at risk of homelessness are identified and supported as early as possible," the report said.

It also highlighted an increase in "more complex clients" with "challenging behaviours", including those with mental health and addiction issues.

In the last 12 months the council housed 900 homeless families and individuals, the report said.

It added in the next quarter of the year the authority hoped to update its website with homelessness advice and support - and work with partners to manage customer expectations.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.