New temporary accommodation programme set to save council £400K

Temporary accommodation is used by individuals and families in crisis situations, including those fleeing domestic abuse or managing severe mental health challenges. The Council has a range of statutory duties to support households who are at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness, making the provision of appropriate accommodation essential.

The council agreed to progress the work of the TAAP at the end of November 2023, with an approach focused on acquiring properties that can be used directly as temporary accommodation. This reduces dependence on costly external providers and gives the Council greater control over quality, cost, and availability. At its core, TAAP aims to provide safe, secure, and more suitable housing for vulnerable households while delivering better value for money.

It’s set to deliver an additional 30 bed spaces for single people and couples, 1 one-bed unit, 2 two-bed units and 6 four-bed units.

This shift is already delivering positive outcomes. Self-contained accommodation offers improved privacy, stability, and well-being compared to more traditional options such as shared facilities in hotels or hostels. As a result, residents report enhanced wellbeing and a stronger sense of safety and security during a difficult period in their lives.

Councillor Luke Shervey, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gloucester City Council, said: "This programme has always been focused on how we can deliver better outcomes for residents while ensuring public money is used more effectively. Preventing homelessness and supporting people to rebuild their lives remains a key priority for the Council, and we’ll continue to work hard to improve outcomes for all."

Alongside the expansion of the temporary accommodation portfolio, targeted work has been undertaken to strengthen move-on pathways and support households into settled housing.

In 2025/26, 44 tenancies were secured for homeless households following a revision of the Council’s financial incentive package for private landlords. Several schemes are also currently in development with Registered Providers to help residents transition from temporary accommodation into long-term homes.

To better support people sleeping rough, the Council has also developed a specialist accommodation offer designed to bridge the gap between rough sleeping and sustaining a tenancy. Delivered primarily in partnership with a specialist Registered Provider, the scheme provides tailored support to help individuals rebuild stability and prepare for independent living.

The continued development of effective homelessness move-on pathways remains critical to reducing reliance on temporary accommodation. The relaunched Gloucester Preventing Homelessness Forum in 2025/26 provides a valuable platform for partners and stakeholders to collaborate on strengthening pathway provision and improving outcomes across the system.

Council officers are now considering potential next steps for the programme, with a view to supporting improved outcomes for residents while maintaining a focus on value for money.

The TAAP report will be presented to Cabinet on 15 July.