Council buys homes to tackle homelessness - and does not rule out further purchases
Privately owned properties are being bought by a council to tackle homelessness. Officials say the move will provide clean, safe and secure accommodation for those most in need.
The move, by Harborough District Council (HDC), has seen the authority buy up to five council properties to help tackle homelessness in the area. The new homes add to the council's existing stock of six houses they already own and four they lease.
The new homes are a mixture of one-, two- and three-bed properties based in Lutterworth, Fleckney and Broughton Astley. HDC said the new homes provide clean, safe and secure temporary accommodation for those most in need.
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The option of further homes being bought by the council to tackle homeslessness has not been ruled out either, with HDC saying further opportunities are also being explored for other locations across the Harborough district. The council has allocated £737,000 of capital funding for this project and has received a grant from the government to acquire more houses to help tackle homelessness.
There are many reasons why councils buy housing stock:
To provide clean, safe, and secure temporary accommodation
To prevent people from staying in hotels and B&Bs
To help people recover from homelessness
To connect people to local services
Councillor Jim Knight, Harborough District Council’s cabinet lead for wellbeing, said: “I am very pleased we have bought these properties. It is cost effective and prevents families and individuals from being in hotels and B&Bs whilst they are waiting for a more permanent solution to their housing crisis.”
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