Council in Devon considers cruise ships for homeless and refugees

Bideford in Torridge, where homelessness rates are among the highest in the region

A Devon council says it is considering using cruise ships as accommodation for homeless people and refugees.

The idea, raised previously by the home secretary as a way to house refugees, was discussed at a Torridge District Council meeting.

Concerns raised included costs, logistics and infection control but the motion was eventually carried.

UK homeless charity Shelter hit out at the proposal as "absolutely deplorable".

But one councillor said "radical times" called "for radical measures".

The council said the idea was in the early stages of costing and feasibility.

Research from Shelter found more than 3,800 people, including 1,500 children, were recorded as homeless in Devon and Cornwall in 2022.

It said homelessness was most acute in Torridge where one in 279 people was homeless.

'Prison-like conditions'

Charlie Trew, head of policy at Shelter, said the cruise ship proposal did not address the root cause of homelessness.

"It's absolutely deplorable that this is even being considered as a serious idea," he said.

"A lot of these people are not just rough sleepers or individuals on the street, these are families, these are kids.

"Could you imagine the prison-like conditions that they might be kept in on a cruise ship? This does not make sense as a proper solution."

The motion was raised by Bideford councillor David Brenton as a "quick solution for some of our desperate citizens".

Mr Brenton said: "I think we live in radical times which call for radical measures to alleviate them."

He suggested "forming partnerships" with neighbouring authorities to "lease or rent a vessel" for emergency accommodation.

A ferry berthed in Edinburgh which provided temporary accommodation to Ukrainian refugees invited to Scotland

Mr Brenton said it would be "feasible" to use the council-owned Middle Dock, Appledore, and up to 100 people could be housed in a vessel at one time.

He said the idea, which could also provide temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees, would require "a lot of work", but the "diminishing" cruise industry meant ships were available.

He added: "There's a lot of work to be done but I think we can link up with other authorities to make it work."

'Slightly crackers'

Rachel Clarke, lead member for housing, who seconded the proposal, raised concerns about "diseases or illnesses" and existing pressures on the NHS.

She said possible "alcohol or drug issues" meant it was "not an easy fix" and warned it had to be "thought through properly".

She said councillors felt the proposal "had enough merit to be looked into further" and it will be presented to the Community and Resources Committee on 23 January.

"In the scheme of deliverable proposals, it is probably some way down the list, but it does emphasise the scope of our search to tackle what is a significant financial drain on council resources with costs rising from £258K to over £1.3M annually in just a few years", she added.

Councillor Simon Newton said the "instant hotel" could be a worthy solution and referred to Ukrainian refugees housed in a vessel in Scotland .

Councillor Peter Christie said he initially found the idea "slightly crackers" but it was "worth looking at".

Mr Trew urged the government to increase stocks of affordable housing to address the homelessness problem.

"It's a symptom of a completely broken housing system that this is even under consideration and, quite frankly, it's disgusting," he said.