West Berks housing overspend due to increased demand for emergency homes

Nearly half a million pounds more than budgeted will be spent on housing in the district.

West Berkshire’s housing overspend is largely from emergency accommodation which is currently forecasted to overspend by £500,000 due to the level of demand.

In the last financial year, 79 households per month approached the council in dire need.

In the first quarter of 2024/25 there have been an average of 63 households per month.

But the annual budget is based on an average of 25 households per month - less than half the number they are currently

Currently there are 40 households in emergency accommodation, of which 28 have move-on arrangements in place.

The council is also working to develop a B&B ‘elimination plan’ which would significantly reduce the cost of housing families in emergencies by reducing reliance on commercial placements.

There are also other projects, such as Walnut Close being converted into temporary accommodation, to help increase capacity and reduce the requirement for B&B placements to support families presenting as homeless.