Big fall in number of households in B&B accommodation

Shropshire Council’s housing service has more than halved the number of households in B&B accommodation, a report to next week’s Cabinet meeting [11 February 2026] shows – reflecting the impact of strengthened homelessness prevention efforts and increased access to more suitable temporary accommodation.

The performance monitoring report for the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year (October to December 2025) shows that in Quarter 3 just 40 households required B&B placements, down from 100 households in Quarter 2, and now well below the target of 60.

At its height, the council’s use of B&Bs was at 200. With an average B&B stay being £70 per night there are significant cost savings for the council, as well as improved options for temporary accommodation for large numbers of vulnerable people.

The council has invested in earlier intervention, expanded support for vulnerable households, and working with its Arms Length Management Organisation, STaR Housing, has introduced four new in-house temporary accommodation schemes, delivering over 100 bedspaces for single individuals.

These schemes not only provide safe and stable short-term housing, but also more intensive on-site support. Residents can access referrals to key agencies—including mental health and substance misuse services—and develop essential independent living skills such as cooking. This approach helps improve long-term outcomes for individuals, reduces financial pressures on the council, and ensures accommodation better supports health, wellbeing and stability.

James Owen, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and leisure, said:

“This is an outstanding achievement and a clear sign that our focused prevention work is delivering real results for residents. Reducing the number of households in B&B accommodation so significantly in just one quarter shows what is possible when we invest in early intervention, expand local provision and work closely with partners. Our new temporary accommodation schemes are already making a real difference—providing not just a roof over people’s heads, but the stability and support they need to move forward positively. I want to thank our housing team for their hard work and unwavering commitment to supporting those at risk of homelessness.

“The council will continue to focus on and increase its homelessness prevention offer. However the focus of the housing team will also look at working with our social housing providers and increasing the support available for moving on, ensuring vulnerable individuals and households are better prepared to move into their own properties after they have had a stay in temporary accommodation.”