Birmingham launches private sector housing scheme to meet homelessness duties

Birmingham City Council has launched a private sector housing scheme to help it meet its statutory duty to provide short-term housing for homeless households.

Under the scheme the local authority will lease properties from within the private sector. These will then be rented under licence to homeless applicants.

Contracts for the scheme will last for three years from 1 October 2010. The contracts will also reflect upcoming changes to the housing benefit and local housing allowance, which were announced in the emergency budget.

Birmingham said the majority of the units would be much cheaper than the similar properties that are currently provided. The scheme would also avoid putting people in bed and breakfast accommodation “except in the most extreme overnight emergency cases”.

The council added that the scheme would ensure each property meets guaranteed standards, make available a wider range of properties and provide value for money. It would also help Birmingham meet its legal duties.

Cllr John Lines, Birmingham’s cabinet member for housing, said: “The council’s job is to balance the need of homeless families with the many applications on the waiting list. The use of temporary accommodation has to be seen as a last resort and my offices are working hard to prevent homelessness.

“Eradication of the use of bed and breakfast except for absolute emergencies is a priority. This new scheme will provide a cost effective alternative which has a guaranteed standard for the many families who lose their homes thought no fault of their own.”