HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds were spent on temporary housing for the homeless in Bradford in the year to March, figures show.

Figures from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show £734,000 was spent on temporarily housing the homeless in Bradford in the year to March. Of this, £732,000 was covered by the Council.

But the authority says its change to an "innovative approach" has prevented an overspend of more than £500,000. 

A spokesperson said told the Telegraph & Argus: “Over the past few years, Bradford Council has successfully transitioned away from the traditional use of bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels to the innovative approach of delivery through contract for the provision of temporary accommodation.

“In working this way, temporary accommodation is now accessible 24/7, 365 days of the year and the primary provider is contracted to take all referrals without exception. The Council no longer uses B&B directly, as many local authorities typically still do.

“The move has resulted in the stabilisation of costs to the Council related to temporary accommodation, with a fixed fee for all referrals.

“Had the Council continued with the conventional model of using bed and breakfast facilities, it’s estimated that an overspend of more than £500,000 per year would have occurred.

“Working with this type of model has ensured that the Council remains fiscally responsible while continuing to offer vital support to the district’s most vulnerable people.”

Across England, £1.7 billion was spent on temporary accommodation in 2022-23.

Councillor Hannah Dalton, the District Councils’ Network housing spokesperson, said: "Councils simply do not have the money to cope with this surge of demand for temporary accommodation and without action from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt they will have no option but to cut services."

Polly Neate, chief executive of the homelessness charity Shelter, added: "We simply can’t keep throwing money at grim B&Bs and hostels instead of focusing on helping families into a home."

A spokesperson for the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities said: "We are committed to reducing the need for temporary accommodation by preventing homelessness before it occurs in the first place, which is why we are providing councils with £1 billion through the Homelessness Prevention Grant over three years."

They added: "We are also delivering a fairer private rented sector for tenants and landlords through the Renters Reform Bill which includes abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions."