Homelessness: Calls made for government action on temporary accommodation

The virtual summit, hosted by Eastbourne Borough Council, callied for urgent government action

More than 150 councils have attended a summit which produced a cross-party letter urging immediate government action on temporary accommodation.

The local authorities described an unprecedented demand from homeless families, while Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC), which hosted the event, said the situation was "stark".

Families told the BBC they had waited years to move from "cramped" housing.

The government said it was "committed to reducing temporary accommodation".

Data released earlier this month revealed that English councils spent more than £1.7bn on temporary accommodation for homeless people in the past year, an increase of about 9% on the previous year.

Kiera Boorman, from Eastbourne, has been on a waiting list for a two-bedroom property for her and her 16-month-old daughter for two years. They currently have a one-bedroom flat.

She said: "Babies can't develop in such small spaces. They need the space to move around and learn to walk.

"It's just so cramped."

Kiera Boorman and her baby have been on a waiting list for a two-bedroom property for two years

EBC leader, Councillor Stephen Holt, said: "The collapse of support for society's most vulnerable people is now a reality for many, unless the government urgently intervenes.

"This summit must be a catalyst for change and that change cannot wait."

All the 158 councils who attended the summit, which was also hosted by the District Councils' Network, were invited to sign a letter to government which contained six main requests.

These included raising Local Housing Allowance rates to a level that will cover at least 30% of local market rent and giving councils the long-term funding, flexibility and certainty needed to increase the supply of social housing.

A government spokesman said: "Local authorities have seen an increase in core spending power of up to £5.1bn or 9.4% in cash terms on 2022/23, with almost £60bn available for local government in England.

"We are providing councils with £1bn through the Homelessness Prevention Grant over three years.

"We are also delivering a fairer private rented sector for tenants and landlords through the Renters Reform Bill which includes abolishing Section 21 'no fault' evictions."

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