Purpose

This report provided an overview of the current situation within the Housing options team, including roles and legal responsibilities of the authority. It provided detail on the current number of households in Temporary Accommodation and those who have approached us for help. The request for additional resources was also included within this report.

Decision

To approve the movement of £150,000 from TA budget to support the additional resources.

Reasons for the decision

Although the Housing Options Team is currently fully staffed, it remains under significant resource pressure. The recent recruitment of an additional Homeless Advisor (new permanent role) and a Homelessness Relief Officer (interim role) to supplement the team, following the 2025/26 Star Chamber has helped and these roles are contributing to the recent reduction in TA use.

As part of the Corporate Management Team’s commitment to reduce the costs of temporary accommodation senior officers have met to discuss and review potential options to further reduce the number of placements and costs related to this. Therefore the posts outlined below were requested to continue to support the team.

Additional Temporary Accommodation officer

Homeless Advisor x 2 FTE

Homeless Relief Officer currently 1 x FTE Fixed Term - request to make permanent role

Alternative options considered

The Housing Options team could continue to operate as they currently are but this was felt to be unsustainable, and costs to the Local Authority would absolutely continue to rise. This option is therefore not supported.