Millions to be spent buying property for homeless people in Gloucester

There are currently 38 homeless families in Gloucester, according to council figures

A council is to spend millions buying properties for homeless people as the number of families without a home rises.

Gloucester City Council has set aside £5m to buy temporary accommodation to stop families being put in hotels.

There are currently 38 homeless families in hotels in the city - up by 10 since last year.

Councillor Stephanie Chambers said the authority must support people facing homelessness.

The planning and housing strategy cabinet member, said the rise in the number of homeless people means the council will have a £1.5m overspend this financial year.

There are around 180 households in temporary accommodation.

Ms Chambers said: "There is a significant challenge for many households in accessing long-term accommodation.

"We are seeing a high demand for rented accommodation in Gloucester.

"However, the same pressures are being felt nationally."

She told a council meeting on 16 November that there is a large disparity between the funding the council receives and the cost to provide emergency housing for those in need.

'Terrible position'

The council currently owns three properties which are used for temporary accommodation which only caters for 11% of the households that need such housing.

Ms Chambers called for councillors to support the plan to buy more properties so they can help people who find themselves in that "terrible position".

Council deputy leader Hannah Norman said it had overspent on temporary accommodation for the homeless overspent by £451,000, with a year-end forecast of £1.22 million.

She said she was pleased that the overspend in the second quarter has reduced thanks to extra grant funding and actions taken by the council.

"I would like to reassure the council that each acquisition the council considers will be done on a case by case basis to ensure that all relevant costs associated with the acquisition and future operations are identified."

Liberal Democrat group leader Jeremy Hilton said: "It's important we do as much as possible and I'm in favour of this council buying property to house these people rather than in hotels which are expensive."

The council voted unanimously to approve the proposals.