Somerset Council’s Executive Committee has supported recommendations to buy more council housing stock for the benefit of local people currently seeking temporary accommodation.
The move follows an underspend of about £3.3m in the council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2024/25, with another underspend expected next year.
The council said the plan would add to its housing stock and help control the cost of placing people in temporary accommodation.
In the short term, the new homes will be used for people who would otherwise have to stay in emergency accommodation.
The council said this would be a better option for residents and would save money for taxpayers.
In the longer term, the homes will be available to those on the Homefinder Somerset waiting list, which is long due to a national shortage of suitable properties.
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture, Equalities and Diversity at Somerset Council, said: “Re-directing funding from our HRA reserves in this way is a hugely positive step for Somerset residents and in particular those who are awaiting temporary accommodation placements.
“The decision is very much a win-win, working to address the increasing numbers of those at risk of homelessness in the short-term, while benefitting our longer-term social housing needs in the medium/longer term.
“By buying more homes, the council said it would have more control over the quality, suitability and cost of accommodation, compared to using B&Bs, hotels or Airbnb.”
