b'4 Local Government Lawyerstudent accommodation were less popular, Which of the following initiatives is yourwith less than 10% opting for these initiatives.authority using to provide more and betterLeicester Council is currently implementing quality temporary housing? the latter. In July, plans to convert an empty seven-storey block of student flats into temporary accommodation were given the go-ahead.The building, which comprises of 134 self-Use of hotel accommodation 69% contained flats, has stood vacant since 2020. According to the authority, the flats will offer Purchasing or leasing of properties on open 66% temporary accommodation for single people market or from social housing providers within and a limited number of couples who are Building more affordable housing; 43% homeless or at risk of homelessness.Speaking to the BBC, Leicester City Refurbishment of existing empty housing stock 31% Councils director of housing, Chris Burgin, said: We dont want people to be in Purchasing or leasing of properties on open 31% unsuitable B&B accommodation for any market or from social housing providers outside length of time, but with increasing numbers Partnering with private sector organisations or 22% of people facing homelessness we have few institutional capital options available to us.Other 12% This building will provide good quality units with cooking and washing facilities which Changing planning policy to enable more TA to 12% are not available in hotels and B&Bs, and be provided will house people for between three and 18 Conversion or use of student accomodation 7% months before they move on to permanent accommodation.The use of modular (prefabricated) temporary 7%housing The problems Compulsory purchase of empty properties 2% The problems with temporary housing are extensive. From a tenant perspective, charities and MPs have highlighted concerns over the damaging impact of unsuitable temporary reveal 169,050 children are now homelessfor the level of need, how are local authoritiesaccommodation to the development, in temporary accommodation in Englandameeting their obligations to temporarilywellbeing, and health of childrenfinding 12% increase in a year. accommodate people?instances of excessive cold, overcrowding, In May this year, Local Government LawyerFor those in immediate need, utilising hoteldamp and mould, and mice infestations.and Devonshires conducted a survey intoaccommodation is the most common strategyFrom a local authority perspective, some of the underlying issues impeding thefor local authorities to discharge their dutiestemporary housing is a huge strain on the provision of temporary housing. The aim of(nearly 70% of respondents), followed by budgetwith councils spending a combined the survey was to identify the legal barriers2.29 billion on temporary accommodation in to the provision of more - and better qualityToo many councils,2023/24.- temporary housing while relieving the strainThe number of people living in temporary on councils. including my own, doaccommodation in England is the highest since When asked what they believe to be thenot care about socialrecords began. According to the Governments biggest obstacles to meeting demand forlatest data, there are over 126,000 households temporary housing in Local Governmenthousing and are happyin temporary accommodation, including more Lawyers exclusive survey, Housingthan 164,000 children.Practitioners selected a lack of supply ofto get rid of homelessDemanding a fundamental overhaul social homes as their top answer, followedfamilies to out ofof temporary housing in April this year, the by a lack of supply of private rented sectorHousing, Communities and Local Government homes, Local Housing Allowance rates/capsLondon Boroughs! (HCLG) Committee claimed that some and housing allocations law and policy.accommodation sourced by local authorities is One respondent claimed: When Localpurchasing or leasing properties on the openof such poor quality that it may pose a severe Housing Allowance (LHA) rates increase,market or from social housing providersrisk to childrens health.landlords then increase the rents to morewithin the borough, building more affordableMeanwhile, MPs raised safeguarding than the LHA rate to price out people on lowhousing, and refurbishing existing emptyconcerns around instances of children and incomes. Social tenants are sub-letting, andhousing stock. families sharing communal facilities with Registered Social Landlords are not checkingOn the other end of the scale, the use ofstrangers, including those with a history of to find out who is living in their properties. prefabricated temporary housing, compulsorydomestic abuse.So, with a shortage of housing solutionspurchase of empty properties and the use ofAccording to Local Government Lawyers'