Some of Sheffield’s most vulnerable people could be moved into new temporary housing, according to a new Council strategy.

Sheffield City Council has announced a new Temporary Accommodation strategy, which aims to end the use of Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs), Hotels and Nightly Paid Accommodation as temporary accommodation.

The strategy also prioritises a rebalancing of the draft allocations policy (which is currently under consultation), to increase the priority on letting properties to those living in temporary accommodation.

Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee, said: “The Council has statutory duties to provide emergency accommodation for people who are homeless and without accommodation.

“A general increase in housing availability is an immediate step we can take over the next few months to alleviate this really pressing crisis.”

As of December 31 2024, there were 305 adults and 140 children placed in B&Bs, something which is paid for by the Council.

Cllr Johnson added that emergency accommodation like B&Bs was used by the Council after it exhausted its available housing stock.

The Council currently uses 442 dispersed council properties for temporary accommodation, but the new strategy highlights the need for approximately 200 more, including 70 for families and 130 for single occupants.

The recent announcement of a £12 million pound grant from Homes England to the council, will provide 112 council homes at social rent, as part of council plans to deliver 1,000 by 2029.

Cllr Johnson said: “We have far too many homeless people who are being accommodated in B&Bs.

“You’ve got to remember if you’re homeless, being in a B&B really isn’t a good thing for you at all.”

Homeless families in B&Bs have a maximum placement limit of 42 days, however the shortage of alternate temporary accommodation has caused many families to stay beyond this limit. 

The total cost of B&B use to the Council has increased drastically, going from just £190,000 in 2018/19 to around £4.8m in 2023/24, with it being projected to rise to £6.6m in 2024/25 (Sheffield Council).

Cllr Johnson said: “This overspend is a massive pressure so it affects all services.

“It impacts Council budgets and takes money away from other vital services such as children’s care and social services. 

“It’s much more cost effective and far better for residents to be in self contained flats and houses, and that is what we want to move more towards.”

This new approach is estimated to reduce pressure on the Council General fund by approximately £2.9 million for families and £2.2 million for single households by March 2027.