Number of people in temporary housing hits new high

The number of households in temporary housing has reached a new high in Brighton and Hove.

The figure has increased every month this year, with 2,292 households living in temporary housing at the end of June, an increase from the previous five-year high of 2,170, late 2025, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

During the first six months of this year, almost 50 households a week assessed by Brighton and Hove City Council qualified as homeless and in need of housing.

Labour councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for housing, said it was shifting towards early intervention and prevention, and was increasing the number of affordable and council-owned rental homes.

The council saw the biggest increase in March, with 192 households in need due to a range of factors including private rented tenancy ending, friends and family no longer willing to accommodate and domestic abuse.

A council report last month, forecast a £1.3m overspend on the £14.6m temporary housing budget.

The pressure is compounded by the high cost of temporary housing combined with a continued reliance on nightly booked emergency housing.

The council is aiming to reduce the number of households in nightly booked accommodation from 444 to 181 by next March.

It also wants to reduce the cost of paying private landlords for temporary housing and has been awarded £16.4m from the government's Local Authority Housing Fund to buy homes to use as temporary housing.

Williams added: "There is no quick fix to what is an incredibly complex issue but we are determined to do all we can to support people into secure, affordable and quality housing and are providing investment to match that commitment."

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