St Albans City and District Council is taking action to reduce the number of households in temporary accommodation in the District.
At a meeting on 20 September, Cabinet heard that the Council is increasing staffing levels to provide support and advice to prevent homelessness.
In addition, the Council is increasing the amount of temporary accommodation available for homeless people. At the end of October, 23 new temporary housing units will open at Brandon Mews following the site’s redevelopment by North Hertfordshire Homes.
These measures will help the Council deal with an increase in the number of households in temporary accommodation in the District. The number rose from 34 in July 2011 to 71 in August 2012.
Cllr Brian Ellis, Housing Portfolio Holder said: “During July and August, the housing team prevented 44 cases of people becoming homeless. They have done this by arranging for loans through the Credit Union, negotiating with people’s landlords, providing debt advice and finding alternative accommodation.
“The causes of the increase in the number of people in temporary households are numerous; the economic downturn being one. There have also been increases in parental evictions, cases of domestic violence resulting in homelessness and people being evicted by private sector landlords. Of the 71 cases of households in temporary accommodation, 11 are from outside the District. However, if we have reason to believe they are homeless and they are in priority need the Council has to provide temporary accommodation regardless of the local connection. This is usually until such time as we can refer them to a local authority where they have a local connection.”
An
agenda for the meeting, including a report on energy efficiency measures, is available on the Council’s website.
Councillor contact:
Councillor Brian Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Housing at St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01582 767621
Contact for the media:
Amanda Wilkinson,
Media and Internal Communications Officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819317
E-mail: amanda.wilkinson@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk