Ellie Ames 06 August 2024

Newham raises alarm over ‘spiralling’ homelessness costs

Newham raises alarm over ‘spiralling’ homelessness costs  image
Image: Angelina Dimitrova / Shutterstock.com

Newham Council has warned it may need government assistance due to the ‘spiralling’ costs of supporting homeless people.

The London borough council allocated a further £18.5m to its temporary accommodation budget this year but predicts that costs will top £40m.

It warned that temporary accommodation could end up accounting for a third of its total budget – with social care costs already making up two-thirds.

A council report says: ‘We haven’t failed in our financial management and homelessness approach; rather past government policies and the inefficacies of the housing market in London and the UK has failed us.’

The council warned it faced ‘hard choices’, and that ‘some form of government assistance may also be required’.

But Newham and cross-party group London Councils pointed out that the borough is far from being an exception, after a survey revealed the capital’s authorities collectively overspent on their homelessness budgets by £208m last year.

The research by London Councils found spending on temporary accommodation for homeless households rose by 25% from April 2023 to April 2024.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner