Families supported into better housing as officers reduce use of B&B accommodation
Fewer households are now living in temporary accommodation in Kirklees, with significant progress made to reduce the number of families with children needing to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation.
Over the past two years, our teams have been working to tackle rising homelessness pressures and help more people access safe, suitable and stable housing. As a result, the number of households living in temporary accommodation has fallen from a peak of 477 in July 2024 to just under 336 at the end of September 2026*.
Like councils across the country, we continue to face challenges including a shortage of affordable housing, increasing pressures in the private rented sector and high demand for social housing. Despite this, we have made significant progress in reducing the number of households needing temporary accommodation and helping residents move into longer-term homes more quickly.
A key priority has been reducing the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families with children.
In May 2024, 108 families were living in B&B accommodation, with 70 families staying for longer than six weeks. By the end of September 2026, no families in Kirklees had been living in B&B accommodation for more than six weeks, a position that has now been maintained for five consecutive months. On of the 30th September, there were no families in B&B temporary accommodation.
This means B&B accommodation is now used only as a short-term emergency measure while more suitable, self-contained accommodation is arranged. For the first time since 2021, there are now some nights when no families are staying in B&B accommodation at all. The improvements follow a wide range of measures introduced through our Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
Services have been redesigned to provide more personalised support, improved access to face-to-face assessments and earlier interventions to help prevent homelessness before a crisis point is reached. Additional investment in staffing, training and specialist support has also strengthened the council’s ability to help residents secure and maintain accommodation.
We have also increased the availability of temporary accommodation and worked with housing providers to create more move-on opportunities. This includes expanding successful leasing arrangements that have provided additional accommodation suitable for larger families, who often face some of the longest waits when moving on from temporary housing.
Support for young people has also been strengthened. Dedicated teams now work with care leavers and residents under 25, helping them access housing and develop the skills and confidence needed to sustain a tenancy. Specialist accommodation schemes provide a safe and supportive environment while young people prepare for independent living.
Councillor Phillip James, Cabinet Member for Housing and Physical Communities, said:
“Every family deserves access to safe and suitable accommodation when they need it most. That’s why it’s so encouraging to see a record period with no families needing to stay in B&B accommodation for longer than absolutely necessary in an emergency, helping provide greater stability for children and parents during difficult times.
“This achievement is a testament to the hard work of our housing teams and partners and shows how our Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy is delivering real benefits for residents. While councils across the country continue to face significant homelessness pressures, we’re committed to building on this progress and continuing to support people with the help they need.”