Council leaders have pledged a stronger and more compassionate response to rising homelessness as they look to reduce the cost of temporary accommodation.
Tendring District Council’s Cabinet agreed on Friday, 30 January, to a package of actions to strengthen support for people in crisis and reduce growing pressure on unsuitable and costly temporary accommodation.
The decision comes amid continued pressure on services, with 2,190 households turning to the council last year because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness, and 475 of those needing temporary accommodation — including 215 families with children.
The number of households placed into temporary accommodation has more than doubled since 2018/19, with a net cost of £2.539 million last year.
Cabinet approved the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026–2031, which sets out the council’s direction for the next five years.
Much of the pressure is being driven by longer stays in temporary accommodation and a sharp rise in single homeless residents, now one of the district’s most urgent areas of need.
An update from the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation Working Group highlighted improvements already under way, including strengthened early intervention, new specialist roles, and reviews of policies, service charges and procurement to secure better quality and better value accommodation.
Councillors also agreed to explore using the council’s own housing stock or other assets to help increase supply locally.
Councillor Andy Baker, TDC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, said: “Behind every statistic is a person or family facing an incredibly difficult moment.
“Our focus must be on preventing homelessness wherever possible, improving the quality and supply of temporary accommodation, and setting a clear, deliverable plan for the next five years.
“That means supporting residents in crisis while managing the serious financial pressures the council faces.
“This is a compassionate and realistic strategy. It puts prevention first, strengthens partnership working and reinforces our commitment to helping some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
“At its heart is a simple principle - when people face one of the lowest points in their lives, they should be met with dignity, understanding and practical support — not barriers or bureaucracy.”
The strategy focuses on early intervention, better connected services and more sustainable options for single homeless residents, while preparing for the district’s transition to a new unitary authority.
