Domestic violence 'driving factor' in homelessness

An increase in domestic violence cases is one of "the main driving factors" in more people becoming homeless, a council report has said.

Broadland District Council has been advised by its officers to spend £3.4m on buying homes to help meet a growing demand for temporary accommodation.

The report recommends the authority – which already owns 44 properties - uses the money to purchase 15 two-bedroom flats and two three-bed houses.

A study prepared for the council warned that demand for temporary accommodation was likely to rise from about 70 households at any one time - in the last financial year - to more than 300 in 2028/29.

It said the number of people needing temporary accommodation because they had fled domestic violence had risen by 28%.

There was also a 23% increase in cases of people whose had seen their private tenancies come to an end, and the total of single people whose friends or family were no longer willing to accommodate them was up by 22%.

The council first bought its own properties to house people in 2022, as it said that would be cheaper than paying for accommodation such as bed and breakfasts.

It said the move had helped it to save £800,000 it would otherwise have paid to providers, including private landlords.

The cost of housing people has increased hugely in recent years, and last year the bill for local authorities in England reached a record £1bn.

In Norfolk, councils have been buying more properties to house people, such as Breckland's Elm House unit, while councillors in Great Yarmouth recently approved the use of a former care home to meet homelessness demand.

Members of Broadland's cabinet – run by a coalition of Liberal Democrats, Labour and Green – are being advised that buying a further 17 properties would, over time, help it to keep its costs down.

They are due to discuss the proposal next week.

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