BCP Council ‘bucking the trend’ with families spending less time in temporary accommodation
Families who’ve been made homeless in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole spend less than six weeks in temporary accommodation
Families across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are spending less time in emergency accommodation, as the council marks a significant milestone in its efforts to prevent homelessness.
BCP Council says that for the past year, no local family has been placed in bed and breakfast accommodation for longer than six weeks.
Council leaders say the progress reflects a growing focus on early intervention, aimed at supporting households before they reach crisis point.
Behind the headline figure are hundreds of individual cases where families have been helped to remain in their homes or move quickly into more stable accommodation.
Over the past 12 months, the council’s Early Prevention housing teams have worked with around 1,500 households, offering practical support such as negotiating with landlords, providing financial assistance and giving tailored housing advice.
For families facing the uncertainty of losing their home, even short stays in temporary accommodation can have a lasting impact.
Parents often describe the experience as stressful and disruptive, affecting schooling, employment and mental health.
Councillor Kieron Wilson, BCP Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said the achievement was a reminder of what targeted support can deliver.
He said: “This progress is a testament to our continued dedication to helping families find stability when they need it most.
“Every family deserves the security of a home, and while we’re proud of this progress, we know the work doesn’t stop here. We’ll continue to focus on prevention and partnership to make sure fewer people face homelessness.”
Despite the milestone, the council has acknowledged ongoing pressures on housing services, including rising demand and limited availability of affordable homes.
As part of its next steps, BCP Council has opened a public consultation on its Homelessness Strategy, running until the end of February.
Residents, charities and housing partners are being invited to share their views on how the authority can build on recent progress and improve housing security for the future.