Purpose

New Temporary Accommodation Strategy outlining
needs in the city current provision and new options to fulfil our
requirement for temporary accommodation to meet statutory
homelessness duties.

Content

10.1

The committee considered a
report of the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services seeking
approval from the Housing Policy Committee to consult with
residents and partners on the draft 5-year Temporary Accommodation
Strategy and Policy.

 

 

10.2

RESOLVED
UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy
Committee:-
 

a)   
Endorse the draft Temporary Accommodation Strategy,
as set out in Appendix 1, for consultation purposes and approve the
launch of public consultation.

b)   
Endorse the draft Temporary Accommodation Policy, as
set out in Appendix 2 for consultation purposes and approve the
launch of public consultation.

c)   
Agree that the outcome of the consultation on the
draft Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Policy will be presented
back to Housing Policy Committee in summer 2025.

d)   
Agree that a final draft of both the Temporary
Accommodation Strategy and Policy will be presented back to the
Housing Policy Committee in summer 2025 for consideration and
approval.

 

 

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Sheffield faces rising demand
for affordable housing, increasing reliance on Temporary
Accommodation as a safety net. The draft Temporary Accommodation
Strategy outlines how the Council will meet its legal duty while
reducing costly, unsuitable options like B&Bs. It focuses on
prevention, better property management, and expanding housing
options, including rapid rehousing and alternative solutions. The
strategy aligns with the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping
Strategy and responds to an independent housing review.

 

 

10.3.2

The draft Temporary
Accommodation Policy sets out a fair and consistent approach to
allocating and managing temporary housing. It details how the
Council procures and places households in suitable accommodation,
including out-of-area placements when needed.

 

 

10.3.3

Approval to launch consultation
on the draft Strategy and Policy will enable
meaningful engagement with
residents, partners, and community groups across
the city, ensuring a timely and
effective development of the final Strategy and
Policy.

 

 

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

 

 

10.4.1

Alternative Option
1:
 
The main alternative to
adopting a Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Policy would be to
take no action. This option has been discounted. The rapid increase
in households placed in Temporary Accommodation has outpaced
current provisions which has resulted in unsustainable financial
pressure for the Council and poor outcomes for households that need
it. More pressing is the rapid increase in the number of families
living in B&Bs and prolonged stays in B&Bs which breach
statutory guidance.

 

 

10.4.2

A well-structured strategy will
set out a realistic approach which directs effort on the actions
that are within our control. It also prioritises measures to ensure
compliance with legal obligations, and address the unsustainable
financial costs associated with temporary placements to both the
Council and individuals.

 

 

10.4.3

The accompanying policy is
necessary to outline a clear, transparent process for allocating
Temporary Accommodation, providing a consistent basis for
decision-making that can withstand future challenges. The
out-of-area section of the policy is particularly critical to
mitigate potential legal disputes, ensuring that our practices
align with best practices and legal standards.

 

 

10.4.4

Alternative Option
2:
 
The Council could choose to
proceed only with the Strategy. This would provide a vision and
ambitions for the next five years. It would include initiatives to
decrease the use of B&B’s. It would not however give the
clear and transparent detail of how Temporary Accommodation will be
allocated and managed. It also does not outline our policy for Out
of Area placements which is required by case law. We have therefore
discounted this option.