Bristol City Council has announced a transformative plan to cease the use of hotels as emergency housing for homeless families. This bold move comes as part of a broader strategy to address the housing crisis in the city, particularly targeting the growing number of families displaced from the private rental sector due to escalating rent prices.
Current Emergency Housing Situation
Currently, Bristol faces a severe shortage of emergency accommodation, forcing numerous families into temporary lodgings such as hotels. These temporary solutions, although necessary, come with a high cost to both the council and the families affected. The city council is currently accommodating around 1,300 households in temporary housing, spending nearly a million pounds annually on hotel accommodations alone.
The problem has grown more acute as more families are pushed out of the private rental sector because of rent hikes. In addition to hotels, other forms of private temporary housing command high prices, further straining the council’s budget. Many families endure prolonged stays in these temporary settings, waiting years before securing permanent housing.
New Measures and the Role of the Temporary Accommodation Manager
To tackle this issue, Bristol City Council is rolling out new measures, including the elimination of hotels and shared accommodations for families. The council is recruiting a Temporary Accommodation Manager, whose pivotal role will be to implement these changes and streamline the process of moving families out of temporary housing swiftly and cost-effectively.
The appointed manager will focus on utilizing council homes as temporary accommodations, with plans to allocate up to 18 council homes per month over the next two years. The aim is to ease the transition for families while significantly reducing the financial burden on the council.
This new role also entails collaboration with housing officers to develop strategies that minimize the duration families spend in temporary settings. By shifting the focus to council homes for temporary housing, the council hopes to provide more stable and better-quality accommodations to those in need.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Temporary Accommodation Manager will not only oversee the transition process but also offer ongoing support to families in temporary housing. The role demands excellent communication skills to keep councillors and the community well-informed about key developments and challenges. Additionally, the manager is expected to model and promote good equalities practice within the council’s housing service.
The position offers an annual salary ranging between £48,474 and £51,515, reflecting the importance and complexity of the role. Candidates interested in this crucial position have until September 11 to apply, with further details available on the Bristol City Council website.
Through these initiatives, Bristol City Council aims to create a more sustainable and equitable housing solution, ultimately fostering a stronger and more resilient community.
