Homeless Applications & Interim Accommodation 2025/2026
Case reference FOI2026/02507
Received 18 October 2026
Published 11 November 2026
Request
Re: Freedom of Information Request - Homeless Applications & Interim Accommodation 2025/2026 I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the council’s expenditure on interim temporary accommodation and related costs, as well as the measures being taken to reduce such expenditures. Please provide the following information:
1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation: - Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless application to the Council?
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996?
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996?
- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing interim accommodation?
a) What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its parent companies/subsidiaries?
b) What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related entities over the past twelve months?
2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:
- What has been the total expenditure on interim temporary accommodation (e.g., Travelodge, B&Bs) for homeless individuals over the past three financial years?
- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the number of placements made outside the borough.
- What has been the total expenditure on affiliated costs such as storage, taxis, and other related services for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough over the past three financial years?
- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage, transportation, etc.) and location.
3. Protection of Personal Property for Homeless Applicants:
- Over the past twelve months, how many homeless applicants have had their personal property protected by the local authority?
- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal property is stored by the local authority?
- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal property while they are in interim accommodation?
- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal property of homeless applicants?
- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal property protected?
- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked.
- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding homeless applications.
- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the protection of the personal property of homeless applicants.
- Please disclose a copy of the council's homeless procedures manual or policy document followed by housing solutions officers at its homeless service centres/homeless persons offices.
- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their personal property?
4. Proactive Measures to Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs:
- What specific measures has the council taken to reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation outside the borough, such as Travelodge and B&Bs?
- Has the council developed or initiated any programs to increase the availability of local temporary accommodation, particularly through the use of empty properties or land within the borough? If so, please provide details.
5. Utilisation of Empty Properties and Land: - How many empty properties and parcels of land are currently owned by the council that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation?
- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to acquire vacant properties for conversion into temporary accommodation? If so, please provide details, including the number of properties targeted, the outcome, and associated costs.
- What steps has the council taken to encourage community/ non-profit groups or social enterprises to make use of disused land or buildings via adverse possession for temporary accommodation or support services? Please provide examples, if any.
6. Comparative Models and Best Practices:
- Is the council aware of successful models such as Calderwood House in Cumbria, where an empty property (a former police station) was transformed into temporary accommodation and support services?
If so, has the council explored similar initiatives within the borough? Please provide details of any discussions, plans, or actions taken.
- Has the council considered offering similar arrangements, such as a peppercorn rent, to community groups or social enterprises willing to repurpose empty properties for temporary accommodation or support services?
If not, what are the reasons for not pursuing this option?
7. Support Services for Individuals in Temporary Accommodation: What support services does the council currently provide for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough, particularly in terms of maintaining their connection to local support networks, healthcare providers, and other essential services? Are there any programs in place to assist individuals in transitioning from temporary accommodation outside the borough to permanent housing within the borough? If so, please provide details on the nature of the support provided, outcomes, and costs.
8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Complaints: How does the council monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its temporary accommodation placements, particularly those made outside the borough? Please provide any available data on the impact of these placements on residents, including any assessments of detriment or distress caused. Has the council conducted any cost-benefit analysis comparing the current expenditure on temporary accommodation outside the borough with potential savings from investing in local solutions (e.g., repurposing empty properties)? If so, please provide the findings.
I would appreciate it if the information could be provided in electronic format, and I look forward to your response within the statutory 20 working days.
Response
Accommodation 2025/2026
I am writing to request information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 regarding the council’s expenditure on interim temporary accommodation and related costs, as well as the measures being taken to reduce such expenditures.
Please provide the following information:
1. Homeless Applications and Interim Accommodation:
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have made a homeless application to the Council?
Answer: As at 29th October 2026, 603 applications had been made in the previous 12 months.
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 188(1) of the Housing Act 1996?
Answer: As at 29th October 2026, 279 households have been placed in temporary accommodation under a s188 duty in the previous 12 months.
- Over the past twelve months, how many people have been provided with interim accommodation pursuant to Section 189(b) of the Housing Act 1996?
Answer: Our records suggest that as at 29th October 2026, 0 households have been placed in temporary accommodation under a s189b duty in the previous 12 months.
This would suggest that all households owed an interim duty of accommodation were placed under s188(1). Where this duty came to an end as a result of a negative s184 decision being issued, but there was a continuing duty to accommodate under s189b until the end of the Relief Duty, our records were not altered to reflect this change in legal duty, but rather the provision of temporary accommodation was recorded as continuing under s188(1) until the end of the Relief Duty period.
- Over the past twelve months, what was the total cost of providing interim accommodation?
Answer: During the financial year 2025/26 the total cost of providing temporary accommodation was £2,055,226.00.
Please note, this is the amount spent for all temporary accommodation provided by the council under all duties owed under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. Our financial records do not record the duty under which the accommodation was provided.
a) What proportion of this cost was paid to Travelodge and/or any of its parent companies/subsidiaries?
Answer: 18.36%
b) What was the total amount paid to Travelodge and/or its related entities over the past twelve months?
Answer: £377,387.00
2. Temporary Accommodation Expenditure and Associated Costs:
- What has been the total expenditure on interim temporary accommodation (e.g., Travelodge, B&Bs) for homeless individuals over the past three financial years?
Answer: £5,966,541.00.
Please note, this is the amount spent for all temporary accommodation provided by the council under all duties owed under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. Our financial records do not record the duty under which the accommodation was provided.
- Please provide a breakdown of these costs by location, including the number of placements made outside the borough.
Answer: This information is not held.
- What has been the total expenditure on affiliated costs such as storage, taxis, and other related services for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough over the past three financial years?
Answer: £3,061.17.
This is the total amount spent over the past three financial years on affiliated costs such as storage, taxis and other related services. Our financial records do not record whether or not these costs relate to temporary accommodation outside the local housing authority’s area.
- Please provide details of these costs by category (e.g., storage, transportation, etc.) and location.
Answer: £2,682.00 in transport costs
£379.17 in storage costs (since 2023/24 the council has been able to use storage facilities that have had no additional cost).
As stated above location is not recorded in our financial figures.
3. Protection of Personal Property for Homeless Applicants:
- Over the past twelve months, how many homeless applicants have had their personal property protected by the local authority?
Answer: During the period 01/04/25 – 31/03/26 there were 15 homelessness applicants whose belongings were stored by Herefordshire Council.
- What is the average length of time that a homeless applicant’s personal property is stored by the local authority?
Answer: The average length of time during the period 01/04/25 – 31/03/26 that an applicant’s belongings were stored for was 30 weeks.
- What is the average cost of storing a homeless applicant’s personal property while they are in interim accommodation?
Answer: The average cost of storage during the period 01/04/25 – 31/03/26 to Herefordshire Council was £0.00 as belongings were stored at zero cost in units already used by the council for other storage purposes.
- Under what circumstances does the local authority protect the personal property of homeless applicants?
Answer: Herefordshire Council will arrange storage where the criteria set out in S211 of the Housing Act 1996 is met.
For further information on the Housing Act 1996, please see the link below.
- As part of the homeless application process, does the local authority expressly ask the homeless applicant whether they need their personal property protected?
Answer: No
- If not, please state the reasons why this question is not asked.
Answer: The Council will expect the applicant to make storage arrangements. Where the applicant is unable to make storage arrangements and their circumstances meet the criteria set out in S211 of the Housing Act 1996, and the applicant requests assistance with storage, the Council carry out the duty.
- Please provide copies of the local authority’s policies regarding homeless applications.
Answer: Herefordshire Council uses S211 of the Housing Act 1996.
This information is publically available on The UK Government website and can be viewed via the following link:
As such we consider this information to be exempt under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 because it is reasonably accessible to you via other means. Please take this letter as a refusal notice under S17 of the Act.
- Please provide a copy of the local authority’s policy regarding the protection of the personal property of homeless applicants.
Answer: Please see above.
- Please disclose a copy of the council's homeless procedures manual or policy document followed by housing solutions officers at its homeless service centres/homeless persons offices.
Answer: Part VII of the Housing Act 1996 and the Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities (2018) sets out the procedures and criteria followed by Herefordshire Council with regard to homeless procedures.
This information is publically available on The UK Government website and can be viewed via the following link:
Homelessness code of guidance for local authorities - Guidance - GOV.UK
As such we consider this information to be exempt under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 because it is reasonably accessible to you via other means. Please take this letter as a refusal notice under S17 of the Act.
- Over the past three years, how many complaints have been made by homeless applicants regarding the council’s failure to protect their personal property?
Answer: During the period 01/04/2023 to 31/03/2026 we have a record of 2 Formal Complaints being received with regard to issues related to the storage of belongings where the council is providing temporary accommodation to a homeless applicant.
4. Proactive Measures to Reduce Temporary Accommodation Costs:
- What specific measures has the council taken to reduce the reliance on temporary accommodation outside the borough, such as Travelodge and B&Bs?
Answer: Wherever possible the Council endeavours to place people in temporary accommodation in Herefordshire. This is impacted by periods of peak demand for temporary accommodation and also by seasonal demand for in county hotel/ B&B accommodation. The local authority is actively working with a number of local B&B providers/ hotels to provide more sustainable accommodation than would be provided within a Travelodge and are based within county.
- Has the council developed or initiated any programs to increase the availability of local temporary accommodation, particularly through the use of empty properties or land within the borough? If so, please provide details.
Answer: The local authority has secured additional temporary accommodation by:
· working with a local charity to bring back into use an empty hotel
· acquiring properties from the open market
· converting empty office space owned by the local authority.
5. Utilisation of Empty Properties and Land:
- How many empty properties and parcels of land are currently owned by the council that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation?
Answer: We have 1 building and 3 parcels of land that could potentially be used for temporary accommodation.
- Has the council considered or initiated any compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) to acquire vacant properties for conversion into temporary accommodation? If so, please provide details, including the number of properties targeted, the outcome, and associated costs.
Answer: Discussions are taking place within the local authority around the use of CPOs to purchase vacant properties. This is a long process that can take years, so is not a short-term solution to current demand. The cost of bringing very derelict homes back into use for temporary accommodation may also be prohibitive. The Councils preferred approach is to work with owners to support them to bring empty homes back into use either through renovation or sale.
- What steps has the council taken to encourage community/ non-profit groups or social enterprises to make use of disused land or buildings via adverse possession for temporary accommodation or support services? Please provide examples, if any.
Answer: The council’s Empty Property Officer provides advice and assistance; there is a published empty property strategy which is currently being updated and all information around empty properties is available on the council website.
6. Comparative Models and Best Practices:
- Is the council aware of successful models such as Calderwood House in Cumbria, where an empty property (a former police station) was transformed into temporary accommodation and support services? If so, has the council explored similar initiatives within the borough? Please provide details of any discussions, plans, or actions taken.
Answer: The local authority has refurbished 3 Council owned properties for use as temporary accommodation. Two additional properties have been purchased and refurbished for this purpose.
- Has the council considered offering similar arrangements, such as a peppercorn rent, to community groups or social enterprises willing to repurpose empty properties for temporary accommodation or support services? If not, what are the reasons for not pursuing this option?
Answer: A grant is available to private landlords to bring their properties up to a habitable standard. In exchange, a charge is registered against the property for an agreed period, the property can used as temporary accommodation and the landlord receives a peppercorn rent during this period.
7. Support Services for Individuals in Temporary Accommodation:
What support services does the council currently provide for individuals placed in temporary accommodation outside the borough, particularly in terms of maintaining their connection to local support networks, healthcare providers, and other essential services?
Answer: At present the council does not provide support services to those applicants placed in temporary accommodation under S188 or S189b outside of the county. Social services support and the support provided by commissioned floating support agencies is currently only within the county. The aim of the council is to bring applicants back in county as soon as possible so additional support can be offered.
The temporary accommodation team inform households of services such as food banks that can be accessed in the location that they have been placed. The temporary accommodation team will keep in regular touch. As soon as there is availability in county the household will be brought back in county.
Are there any programs in place to assist individuals in transitioning from temporary accommodation outside the borough to permanent housing within the borough? If so, please provide details on the nature of the support provided, outcomes, and costs.
At present the council does not provide such transition services. It remains the aim of the council to only place applicants in temporary accommodation outside of the county when there is no other alternative and to bring the household back in county at the first available opportunity. Floating support services can be accessed in county to assist applicants with the transition into permanent accommodation.
8. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Complaints:
How does the council monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of its temporary accommodation placements, particularly those made outside the borough? Please provide any available data on the impact of these placements on residents, including any assessments of detriment or distress caused.
Answer: The council does not collate statistical records regarding the effectiveness of its temporary accommodation placements. The council regularly reviews all of its temporary accommodation in light of compliments and complaints, safeguarding and budgetary requirements.
Out of county places are only made when there is no suitable alternative available in-county and they are made as short term arrangements with the aim of bring the household back in county at the first available opportunity. All out of county placements are through chain hotels.
Has the council conducted any cost-benefit analysis comparing the current expenditure on temporary accommodation outside the borough with potential savings from investing in local solutions (e.g., repurposing empty properties)? If so, please provide the findings.
Answer: The council monitors the cost of all temporary accommodation, both in and outside the county to seek to reduce costs where possible. Work continues into developing more secure and lower cost suitable temporary accommodation within the county, which includes the redevelopment of vacant properties in the county (see above for more information).
I would appreciate it if the information could be provided in electronic format, and I look forward to your response within the statutory 20 working days.
Documents
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