Temporary accommodation and yet another Consultation

Julia Gooch looks at whats being done to help people with very specific housing needs.... the answer is worrying

Silence Isn't a Housing Strategy:

Why We Need Answers on Temporary Accommodation

As elected representatives, our job is to ensure our council is held accountable—especially when it comes to the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable members of our society. As the FODDC enters the stages needed to enter a possible unitary authority, it is even more important that the systems we have in place and rely on are fit for purpose and fully inclusive

For months, I have been pushing for clarity about the council's reliance on bed-and-breakfast (B&B) accommodation. While intended as a short-term emergency measure, for many residents with complex needs, these placements are becoming a long-term reality.

I have submitted a series of detailed questions to the Cabinet regarding our housing capacity and the support available for those facing multiple disadvantages. To date, these questions remain unanswered.

Right now, the council is consulting on changes to the HomeseekerPlus allocations policy. On paper, this is a technical review. In reality, it affects the lives of real people struggling to find a safe place to call home.

A policy review is only "meaningful" if it's grounded in the truth of our current system. That is why I am demanding the administration confirm:

• The Capacity Gap: When will we see a formal assessment of our temporary accommodation shortfall?

• The Human Cost: How many households with complex needs are stuck in B&Bs? How many of these placements are officially acknowledged as "unsuitable" but are being used anyway?

• Support Systems: What multi-agency plans are in place to prevent placement breakdowns for those who need the most help?

• The Waiting Game: Are those with the highest needs being left in B&Bs longer than others? What is being done to stop this?

• Future Planning: What is the timeline for the new properties, and what happens if external funding doesn't come through?

These aren't just abstract statistics; they go to the heart of our statutory duties. We cannot review the HomeseekerPlus policy in a vacuum while ignoring the lived experience of residents currently trapped in the system.

Furthermore, a consultation must be inclusive. It shouldn't just be for people who are comfortable navigating online surveys—it must reach the voices that are too often overlooked.

Residents deserve clarity, not silence. You deserve a housing system that recognises human needs rather than leaving the most vulnerable in limbo.

I will continue to press for full, transparent answers from the Cabinet. I'll be sure to update you as soon as I receive a response.