Hundreds of families in temporary homes

11:57am Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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HUNDREDS of families have to live in unsuitable temporary accommodation due to a lack of social housing.

South Gloucestershire has so few council houses available that over 300 households are in temporary accommodation and 21 families are being housed in bed and breakfasts - all at a cost of £250,000 to the taxpayer.

After Swindon and Bristol, South Gloucestershire has the third highest figures for households in temporary accommodation in the South West.

Neighbouring Stroud district has just nine households in temporary accommodation in comparison.

In 1997-98, South Gloucestershire Council housed 137 families in temporary accommodation. But this has climbed to over 350 for 2006-07.

The council has confirmed that in March 2008 they had 21 families in bed and breakfast, out of a total of 326 in temporary accommodation, which could be private rented, housing association or supported housing.

The council said the cost of housing these people in 2008/09 would be around £250,000.

A South Gloucestershire Council spokesman said: "Presently we are housing 21 families in bed and breakfast accommodation.

"All the families are in self-contained accommodation with their own kitchen and bathroom facilities. We inspect these facilities on a regular basis to ensure that they continue to provide a good standard of housing.

"While it depends on particular needs, on average, households will stay in this sort of accommodation for around three weeks, while the council explores the housing options available to the family.

"In certain cases, the council may have a statutory duty to provide housing. In this instance households will be placed in different types of temporary accommodation until a permanent property becomes available.

"The council has a plan in place to halve the number of households that were in temporary accommodation in 2006 by 2010, in line with national guidelines. We have made good progress to date in achieving this target."