Council-owned Temporary Accomodation Boost

Folkestone & Hythe District Council is to invest £5m into expanding its stock of temporary accommodation.

Cabinet members have approved a proposal which will see a further 20 properties, at least, bought to be used for homeless households in the district.

Using council-owned properties as temporary accommodation reduces the reliance on private, nightly-let temporary accommodation and is more cost-effective in the long term.

Rebecca Shoob, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness said:

“As has been the case nationally, the number of homeless households approaching the council has increased over the last year. Providing the accommodation ourselves provides better value for money and delivers a long-term housing asset for the district.”

“But this is only part of the solution – we will continue our work to prevent homelessness wherever possible. This is by keeping residents in their existing homes or by assisting them into alternative accommodation and avoiding the need to move to temporary arrangements.”

Lib Dem Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance Tim Prater has strongly backed the move. Tim says:

“Due to perverse Government homelessness funding, despite Government in theory funding the cost of temporary accommodation, in practice they often cover a tiny proportion of the cost. The Council increasing our own TA stock allows us not only to cover the whole cost of that provision from Government, but means we can control the quality of our TA offer much more directly too. 

"Families needing temporary accomodation are in crisis. We should, and are, do all we can to make the housing we can offer them at that moment act as a sanctuary and step to a solution, not add to the nightmare.”

If you are at risk of homelessness or are concerned about losing your home in the future for any reason, you can get advice and assistance by visiting our website.