Purpose

The Council has duty to make temporary accommodation available to those presenting to the Council as homeless.
Whilst most households will be entitled to either full or partial housing benefit to cover the use and occupation charges of the temporary accommodation they are offered, the service charges are not covered by housing benefit and are, in effect, paid directly from the Council’s own funds.
The Council has the power to require the payment of reasonable charges in accordance with s206(2) Housing Act 1996.
This decision is to implement the collection of a service charge from each household for the use of temporary accommodation whilst they are placed there by the Council under a homeless duty. These charges will be collected on a weekly basis and are to be paid by all households in temporary accommodation, whether the household is in employment or in receipt of benefits.
The decision is made in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing

Decision

To implement a service charge for the use of temporary accommodation, to be recovered from those that are placed in it.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 - An alternative is to not implement a service charge. This approach would not support the Council’s focus on reducing the costs associated with temporary accommodation that are one of the greatest pressures on General Fund.
Option 2 -
Option 3 -