136 households spent 6,000 nights in temporary accommodation in Doncaster

Figures published by St. Leger Homes, the council’s housing partner, shows 136 households spent a total of 6,019 nights in temporary accommodation which also included five children. This relates from the month of July, August and September.

During the 2020/2021 financial year which began in April of this year, there have been 379 households spending more than 10,000 nights in B&Bs or hotels.

Housing bosses say the figures have been ‘skewed’ by the Covid-19 pandemic response. The original target was to have less than 63 households in temporary housing before the health crisis hit.

The number of households in temporary accommodation actually reduced from 243 but the length of time people were in B&Bs in this financial quarter increased by 29 per cent.

Housing bosses say putting people in B&Bs and hotel-style accommodation is a ‘last resort’ where ‘no other accomodation is available’.

Despise the numbers, the total amount of night spent reduced from the start of July to the end of August.

Nigel Feirn, head of finance and business assurance, at St. Leger Homes, said: “The placements and nights in B&Bs during the quarter is skewed by the response to Covid-19.

“Compared to August, September experienced a 59 per cent increase in homelessness applications, including a 19 per cent increase in households presenting as homeless, which transferred into a 21 per cent increase in placements.

“Through the hard work and commitment of the team the total number of nights in B&B reduced for the third consecutive month and by 15 per cent since the end of August.

The number placed in Hotels at the end of the quarter was 52 in line with our NSAP (Next Steps Accommodation Programme) action plan target of 50, and reduced from its peak of 84 households at the end of June.

“We have contributed to the council’s bid to the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s NSAP which includes a planned reduction of households in hotels, allowing for winter pressures by March 2021.

“We have also recently received confirmation that St. Leger Homes Doncaster/Doncaster Council will receive £291,000.”

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