Decision details

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet:

1)    Note the significant homelessness pressure in Hillingdon, in line with national and London wide trends, and the increasing use of temporary accommodation to meet this need.

2)    Note the Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan in the Appendix.

3)    Agree to receive quarterly updates, or at a frequency as determined by the Cabinet Member, on progress delivering the Strategy and Action Plan, aligned with the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy and the impact on the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, and to include details of actions being taken to bring empty homes across the Borough back into occupation.

Reasons for decision

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing & Growth presented a report on the Temporary Accommodation Strategy and Action Plan, aimed at reducing costs and reliance on temporary accommodation in Hillingdon. As of January 2025, there were 1,275 households in temporary accommodation, with a significant increase in demand and costs. The Cabinet Member advised that the strategy focused on homelessness prevention, increasing housing supply, and financial sustainability. Key objectives cited included reducing homelessness demand, increasing housing supply, reducing temporary accommodation costs, and delivering long-term housing solutions. The Cabinet Member noted that the projected spend for 2024-2025 was £35.6 million, with a goal to reduce expenditure by £3.6 million in 2025-2026. Progress would be monitored and reported to the Cabinet. It was welcomed that the Residents’ Services Select Committee was also reviewing homelessness, with a final report expected later in the year. The Cabinet noted the pressures, the strategy, and to agree to receive quarterly updates on progress.

The Leader of the Council thanked the Cabinet Member and Officers for their efforts in addressing the national challenge of homelessness, which was particularly acute in London and by preparing a report that provided clarity in analysing the problem and outlining solutions locally. The Leader requested that officers work to strengthen the Action Plan, where the measures needed to be more specific to determine whether targets were being met, with tighter target setting and monitoring, acknowledging that some estimates would be broad. The Leader asked the Chief Executive to take this forward and included within the next quarterly report to Cabinet.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.