UP to 20 flats and bed sits in east Hampshire could be bought by a housing association to provide temporary accommodation to homeless families.
The move comes in the wake of news that a number of families from east Hampshire had to spend Christmas miles away from their families because there was no where locally to place them.
Last week East Hampshire District CouncilÕs cabinet approved plans for Drum Housing Association to purchase six flats/bed sits initially with plans for more in the pipeline later in the year.
EHDCÕs head of housing services Julia Potter told councillors that homeless families were increasingly being sent to bed and breakfasts in the Portsmouth area until new homes could be found for them in the district.
She explained: ÒWe are using of bed and breakfasts more and more. This year we will have over spent by £30,000 because of the increased use of bed and breakfasts.
ÒAt one point in December we had 14 families in bed and breakfasts on the south coast but fortunately that number is right down to six.Ó
The officer said that it was a trend which was being repeated in other parts of the country and could only be remedied if Drum were able to purchase homes within east Hampshire which could be used for temporary accommodation.
ÒUp to 20 in a year could be purchased although provisionally we are looking at purchasing six by March,Ó she said.
The cabinet was also told that a Òget-out clauseÓ would be incorporated meaning that, should the temporary homes no longer be required, they could be sold-off or rented privately.
She also pointed other that this option would be cheaper in the longer-term than continuing to rent comparatively expensive bed and breakfasts, with the funding for the scheme coming from existing coffers.
The officer estimated that by the end of the financial year the council will have spent £60,000 on bed and breakfasts compared with £17,000 in the last financial year.
Cabinet members were delighted with the plans which come after The Herald revealed that 63 families have been put in bed and breakfasts since April, compared to just 18 the previous year.
Some families also spent Christmas Day in temporary accommodation in places such as Hayling Island, Havant and Gosport as a result.
Cabinet member for housing and community John Venning said: ÒI think that we have got some sensible plans which should cope with the problem.Ó
Council leader Elizabeth Cartwright agreed: ÒThis is very much a better scheme for our residents who are in need of accommodation.Ó
Liberal Democrat councillor Teresa Jamieson, who attended the meeting, also backed the view of the Tory-led cabinet.
She said: ÒA lot of families have to give up work when they are moved into bed and breakfasts far away because they donÕt have any transport of their own. That is a backwards step for them. This plan is a huge leap forward.Ó