Dorset Council uses 50+ bed-and-breakfast placements for homeless people

Summarised from Bournemouth Echo's report · Updated 9 Oct, 06:08 · Archive

Dorset Council is housing more than 50 households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation as homeless demand rises.

Dorset Council is housing 53 households in bed-and-breakfast accommodation during the first quarter of the year, comprising 48 single people and five families. Demand for homeless help has risen 20 per cent compared with the same period last year, with almost 1,000 people approaching the council.

Iain Sim, interim corporate director for housing at Dorset Council, told the People and Health Scrutiny Committee that whilst stays in bed-and-breakfast accommodation remain an issue, progress has been made. Average stays for single people have fallen from 128 days to 77 days, whilst stays for families have dropped from 31 days to 13 days. The council has reduced vacant temporary accommodation from 49 to 28 placements.

The authority has faced obstacles in expanding provision. Negotiations to lease more temporary accommodation fell through, and it lost 15 private rented temporary accommodation places because properties did not meet lettable standards, though five other places have since been secured.

Read the report

• Dorset Council using more than 50 bed-and-breakfast placementsMore than 50 bed-and-breakfast placements are being used by Dorset Council, including five for families.Bournemouth Echo · 8 Oct, 14:12

In this story: Dorset Council · Iain Sim · Dorset

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