Number of families in B&Bs over Christmas drops

The number of families spending Christmas in emergency accommodation has been cut by 90%, a local authority has said.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said eight families, and a total of 16 children, spent the festive period in bed and breakfast accommodation.

In comparison, 84 families, including 164 children, spent 25 December 2023 in B&Bs.

The authority highlighted the work of its Homelessness Partnership to improve options for those at risk of becoming homeless as the main reason behind the sharp reduction.

Kieron Wilson, the authority's housing lead, said: "Knowing that instead of 164 children spending Christmas Day in a B&B room, as few as 16 will be, is a genuine source of pride for us."

"It is, however, by no means the end of our work, it is only the beginning."

Mr Wilson said at the start of the year, the council set out to reduce "and ultimately end our reliance" on B&B accommodation.

He said B&B's were a "last resort", adding they do not have the "facilities or conditions" for families to "thrive".

The council said the reduction showed that its policies of early intervention and targeted prevention, along with its "ambitious programme of acquiring new temporary homes" were "positively impacting outcomes".

The number of council-owned properties has increased in recent years, which the authority said further reduced dependency on "inappropriate B&B accommodation".

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