Council spends £1.7m on hotel rooms for Yorkshire town's homeless - and new plan includes pets

Danielle Andrews & Elizabeth Mackley

6 November 2024 at 1:59 pm·1-min read

A beggar — -Credit: (Image: Free to use)

Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council spent more than £1.7m last year on temporary accommodation for homeless residents, including hotels.

According to new data, 995 households in Rotherham were placed into such accommodations, marking a 29 percent increase from the previous year. This surge has led to a significant rise in costs, with the total expenditure more than doubling from £800,000 in 2020/21.

The council attributes this increase to national issues affecting the housing market, including regulations in the private rented sector and the benefits system. In response, the council (RMBC) is proposing a new policy aimed at increasing the availability of suitable and affordable housing for vulnerable households, thereby reducing reliance on hotels and B&Bs.

The council plans to monitor demand for temporary housing, purchase additional properties for social housing, and ensure that stays in hotels do not exceed six weeks. Despite some councils cutting costs by discontinuing breakfast provision for hotel residents, RMBC intends to continue offering this service where possible.

The policy also introduces a more flexible approach for pet owners. While there's no guarantee of accommodation that allows pets, RMBC will now consider each case individually and, where possible, allow pets with certain conditions tied to the household's licence agreement.

RMBC also plans to provide a range of support services, including assistance with understanding rights and responsibilities, applying for benefits, registering children for school, and connecting people with other services like social care, domestic abuse services, and drug and alcohol support.

The policy will be analysed by the council's overview and scrutiny committee at their next meeting on November 13.

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