The grim number of families living in B&Bs, social housing and refugee centres

The number of families living in temporary homes in Trafford - such as B&Bs, social housing and refugee centres - has soared in the last four years. Some 90 households were staying in bed and breakfasts the end of 2023, compared to just eight at the end of 2019.

Twenty of those families have children, while eight have been in B&Bs for more than six weeks. According to figures from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) the number of families living in B&Bs for more than six weeks in England is 19 times higher than when the Conservatives came to power in 2010.

Families deemed to be homeless and in need of accommodation by local authorities can find themselves being temporarily housed in B&Bs. If that happens, government targets say it should be for no more than six weeks.

READ MORE: More than 350 jobs at risk as Greater Manchester distribution centre to close

Despite that, in the last three months of 2023, a total of 2,960 families with children have been housed in B&Bs for longer. That is an increase of 84 per cent compared to the same time last year, when there were 1,610 such families. But it’s a 1,750pc increase compared to when the Tories came to power.

In May 2010, just 160 families with children found themselves living in a B&B for more than six weeks, 19 times fewer than in the most recent quarter. Responding to the DLUHC figures, Coun James Wright, Trafford's executive member for housing and advice said: “There has been a sharp increase in the number of households presenting as homeless, along with reduced availability of affordable homes in the borough. This increase has spiked further since the cost-of-living crisis began.

“We are acutely aware of the issue, which is exacerbated by the difficulties in sourcing temporary accommodation due to the high cost of housing in Trafford. The scrapping of Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions as promised by the Government would also reduce the numbers of households being made homeless.

“We are working with partners to deliver more affordable homes in the area and around 400 affordable homes have been built over the past two years. We will be looking to increase this further with projects in Partington, Stretford and Old Trafford scheduled to deliver much-needed affordable homes to our borough.

“Our Housing Options Team (HOST) is also focused on securing more accommodation and in delivering measures to try and prevent homelessness. The Council prevented 211 households from becoming homeless in 2023/24 and we also work with residents through our community hubs to prevent homelessness.

“We’re also working with partners to deliver more affordable homes in the area. We will continue to support people who are at risk of being made homeless, as well as doing all we can to support people into permanent accommodation.”

Trafford's Conservatives have been contacted for comment.