Temporary accommodation placement policy

2.1     The Council aims to ensure that sufficient suitable temporary accommodation is available to meet the needs of local homeless households.

2.2     All offers of temporary accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis, following consideration of the individual applicant’s needs and circumstances to ensure that accommodation is suitable for the household*, in accordance with relevant legislation and government guidance.

2.3     Wherever reasonably practicable, the Council will provide suitable temporary accommodation within Welwyn and Hatfield, unless there is a specific reason why a household should not be accommodated within the district (most commonly where applicants are at risk of domestic abuse or other violence).

2.4     In instances where suitable temporary accommodation cannot be secured within the district, the Council will seek to make an out of area placement as close as possible to the district boundaries or to where the applicant was previously living.

Wherever practicable, the Council will aim to minimise the time spent in out of area accommodation and offer a suitable in-district placement when availability arises.

* Including all members of the household who would normally reside with the applicant or who might reasonably be expected to reside with them.