Westmorland and Furness Council has today agreed a new plan to tackle rising costs associated with providing emergency accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
Following a meeting of Cabinet (Tuesday 18 March), a new Temporary Accommodation Strategy was agreed by Members which sets out a clear plan to address the increasing demand for temporary accommodation, to ensure that people across Westmorland and Furness have access to safe, suitable, and affordable housing while they are assisted to find a longer-term solution.
The need for a Temporary Accommodation Strategy was identified as part of the development of the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029, highlighting increasing homelessness presentations and difficulties in accessing affordable housing.
The new strategy outlines a five-year action plan from 2025 to 2030, ensuring a consistent, cost-effective, and sustainable approach to temporary accommodation across the area. It will align provision across different localities, increase the supply of self-contained interim housing, and support the council’s statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness.
Providing good quality housing is a key priority for the council, as outlined in both its Council Plan and Delivery Framework. The council remains committed to ensuring that everyone has a place they can call home – one that is safe, warm, and affordable.
Developed throughout 2024, the strategy has been shaped and informed with input from key stakeholders, housing providers, and people with lived experience of homelessness. This collaborative approach ensures that the strategy is ambitious, relevant, and deliverable, and the council will continue working with communities, Team Barrow, Town and Parish Councils, Community Land Trusts, developers, and registered providers to maximise opportunities and drive real change. It also supports the Councils Housing Strategy approved by Cabinet in January 2025.
Councillor Judith Derbyshire, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety, said:
“The rising use of temporary accommodation is a national issue. Ensuring that our residents have access to good quality, safe, and affordable housing lies at the heart of our work. This Temporary Accommodation Strategy is a vital step in tackling homelessness and supports our Housing Strategy, building a fairer, more sustainable housing system.
“The supply, availability, and affordability of housing in our towns, rural communities and across the Furness area, particularly with the unprecedented demand caused by BAE's expansion, is a key focus driving our efforts.
“By putting residents at the heart of services and embracing our role as a community-powered council, we’ve harnessed the power of collaboration to rise to challenges and maximise opportunities. This strategy has been developed by working closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, and we deeply appreciate all the voices that have informed it, ensuring a meaningful approach with a strong sense of ownership. Together, we are delivering real solutions that prioritise people and make a lasting difference.”
For more information on housing services and support, visit the council’s website.
