Decision - Use of Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation

The purpose of this report is to seek the approval of the Leader to authorise the interim use of Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation between 19 January 2026 and 1 May 2026. The proposed approach during this interim period is expected to achieve £0.757m (with a full year effect) of savings to help address an anticipated in-year overspend of £4.8 million on nightly paid Temporary Accommodation. This total covers immediate financial savings in the year 2025 /26 and the ongoing consequential savings for 2026/2027. Therefore, given the scale of the project savings, the decision is presented for Leader approval in recognition of the policy's significance and potential legal and financial risks, notwithstanding the opportunity to provide better quality temporary housing to homeless households. It is also important to note the consequence is delay for some households who are applying to transfer or those currently bidding under the choice based letting scheme. The exact amount of delay will depend on the circumstances of each impacted household, but it will be no less than 3.5 months, which is the duration of the interim position.

The Leader agreed to the interim use of all Housing Revenue Account voids as Temporary Accommodation between 19 January 2026 and 1 May 2026. The Leader agreed to adopt the draft policy on the use of HousingRevenue Account Void Properties as Temporary Accommodation as set out in Appendix 1. The Leader delegated authority to Corporate Director for Homes & Adult Social Care to take all necessary steps to implement the policy as set out in Appendix 1. The Leader delegated authority to Corporate Director for Homes & Adult Social Care to begin consultation on the policy as set out in Appendix 1, which will inform a review of the policy at the conclusion of the interim position and will inform any further report to Cabinet seeking possible extension or changes to the interim period or policy, for a limited duration.

Brighton & Hove City Council assessed the equality impacts of temporarily using Housing Revenue Account void properties as Temporary Accommodation between 19 January and 1 May. The assessment found benefits for newly homeless households, particularly families with children, disabled households and survivors of domestic abuse, but warned that some housing-register applicants may face longer waits.