Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council has purchased a number of local homes to provide stable, self-contained accommodation for homeless families, a move designed to reduce the reliance on expensive hotels and hostels. The initiative, which was officially announced on 6 May 2026, aims to keep families closer to their existing support networks, including schools and jobs, while they wait for long-term housing.
By moving families out of hotels and into these council-owned properties, the local authority expects to save approximately £2,800 per home each month. Officials noted that hotels are often unsuitable for children and that this new approach offers a much more comfortable environment for those in need. The properties are being purchased and managed outside of the standard council housing budget, meaning they are dedicated for temporary use and cannot be used as permanent council homes.
One local resident, who previously stayed in one of the council’s temporary houses before moving into a permanent home, described the transition as a life-changing experience. The resident noted that having a proper home environment made a significant difference for their children, allowing them to remain in a familiar setting and stay close to family.
This programme comes as councils across England face mounting pressure to find affordable temporary housing, with national spending on such accommodation rising to £2.8 billion in the 2024/25 period, more than double the amount spent five years ago. Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council developed this plan in response to rising rents and the increasing number of residents facing housing difficulties within the borough.
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