Housing homeless residents could cost council £3m

Kerry Smith is the Independent councillor responsible for housing on Basildon Borough Council

A council said the cost of housing homeless residents in temporary accommodation could rise to more than £3m a year.

A report said Basildon Borough Council's spending on accommodation - such as bed and breakfasts - had risen from £592,000 in the 2021/22 financial year to £1.9m last year.

A projected increase in demand of 31% a year could cost the authority more than £3m by the end of this financial year, it added.

Kerry Smith, the councillor responsible for housing, told the BBC the problem was worsened by landlords leasing properties to London boroughs instead of the local council.

'Modular homes'

Mr Smith, an Independent councillor, said the authority had received £11m from Homes England, which he hoped would kickstart a housing development at a derelict car park.

The council is also in the process of exploring sites where factory-built "modular" homes could be appropriate.

It currently uses 451 temporary properties in the Basildon borough and sends residents to Barking and Southend when necessary.

Mr Smith said the council would continue to look at properties in other boroughs to avoid people being forced to stay in bed and breakfasts.

"If an opportunity comes up in the adjacent borough or very nearby and we can house someone there in a real home, we're going to do it because it's good for the homeless person and it's good for the council tax payers of Basildon," he added.

A new temporary accommodation policy will be discussed at a meeting later.