Purpose

The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the
Leader to authorise the interim use of
Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation between 19
January 2026 and 1 May 2026.
 
The proposed approach during this interim period is
expected to achieve £0.757m (with a full year effect) of
savings to help address an anticipated in-year overspend of
£4.8 million on nightly paid Temporary Accommodation. This
total covers immediate financial savings in the year 2025 /26 and
the ongoing consequential savings for 2026/2027.
 
Therefore, given the scale of the project savings, the
decision is presented for Leader approval in recognition of the
policy’s significance and potential legal and financial
risks, notwithstanding the opportunity to provide better quality
temporary housing to homeless households.
 
It is also important to note the consequence
is delay for some households who are applying to transfer or those
currently bidding under the choice based letting scheme. The exact
amount of delay will depend on the circumstances of each impacted
household, but it will be no less than 3.5 months, which is the
duration of the interim position.

Content

The Leader agreed to the interim use of all Housing Revenue
Account voids as Temporary Accommodation between 19 January 2026
and 1 May 2026.
 
The Leader agreed to adopt the draft policy on the use of
HousingRevenue Account Void Properties as Temporary Accommodation
as set out in Appendix 1.
 
The Leader delegated authority to Corporate Director for
Homes & Adult Social Care to take all necessary steps to
implement the policy as set out in Appendix 1.
 
The Leader delegated authority to Corporate Director for
Homes & Adult Social Care to begin consultation on the policy
as set out in Appendix 1, which will inform a review of the policy
at the conclusion of the interim position and will inform any
further report to Cabinet seeking possible extension or changes to
the interim period or policy, for a limited duration.
 

Reasons for the decision

For the reasons set out in the report.