Temporary accommodation placement policy

5.1     The Council will secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, suitable temporary accommodation within Welwyn and Hatfield Borough when it is discharging its housing functions under Part VII of the Housing Act 1996. This is in accordance with section 208(1) of the 1996 Act.

5.2     However, as set out at paragraph 3.4 above, there will be occasions when it is not reasonably practicable to secure suitable temporary accommodation within the district. This is either because of lack of capacity locally or because available accommodation is not suitable for an individual’s (or their household members’) needs.

5.3     Where out of district placements are made, their duration will be minimised as far as is reasonably practicable.

5.4     In other circumstances, there may be specific reasons why a household should be accommodated outside of the district. Examples include where an applicant (and/or a member of their household) would be at risk of domestic abuse or other violence in the district or to enable ex-offenders to break links with negative contacts in the district.