THE USE of temporary accommodation to house homeless people in Stratford has seen a dramatic decline.
Recent figures show Stratford District Council’s use of bed and breakfast accommodation to provide temporary housing is at its lowest for two years – from around 40 households in 2017 to less than ten households.
Previous years had seen spending on temporary bed and breakfast accommodation rocket from £37,000 to more than £300,000.
The number of families and individuals being made or threatened with homelessness has increased with some blaming changes to the welfare system.
And with so many people needing emergency temporary accommodation, the council was forced to turn to bed and breakfast accommodation to keep them off the streets.
But the council has seen figures drop after securing some 40 properties for use as temporary accommodation including both from Orbit Housing Association and private owners, with five properties bought outright.
District council spokeswoman Coun Jo Barker said: “Putting homeless individuals or families in B&B accommodation is not an ideal situation and is often a last resort.
“So it’s good to see that the use of B&Bs for temporary accommodation has steadied in the last 12 months and is now showing signs of reduction. The district council has been working hard to prevent homelessness by targeting help at those who are most at risk and also to reduce the use of B&B accommodation for those who do become homeless.”
