Temporary accommodation placement policy

6.1     Government guidance sets out the factors that the Council must consider when assessing the suitability of temporary accommodation. Overarching considerations which are particularly pertinent to location include:

Affordability

The Council will take into account whether accommodation is affordable to the applicant. This will include consideration of whether they can June afford to pay for their temporary accommodation without being deprived of basic essentials such as food, clothing, heating and transport.

Welwyn and Hatfield Borough Council, in common with many areas across the region, faces a high demand for housing with a resulting shortage of local affordable accommodation in the private sector. Nightly paid accommodation out of district may therefore in some cases be more suitable for an individual household than in-district accommodation.

Distance from Welwyn and Hatfield

The Council will aim to secure temporary accommodation as close as possible to the district based on the practicality of sourcing units on any given day. We have established working relationships with a number of accommodation providers who provide accommodation of a reasonable standard, including some who are located in neighbouring districts/boroughs. If an out of district placement is required, we will normally approach one of these providers and will always seek to move the household back to the district at the earliest opportunity.

Distance from last settled accommodation

The Council will take this into consideration where there are established links with schools, doctors, social workers and other key services and support. Note that in some instances, placements outside of the district might be closer to where the applicant was previously living.

6.2     In determining the suitability of a placement, the time likely to be spent in that accommodation will also be taken into account. A placement may be suitable for a short period, for example accommodation used to discharge an interim duty pending inquiries, or a placement made on an emergency basis, but may not be suitable for a longer period.

6.3     In addition, in assessing whether an out of area placement would be suitable for a household, the Council will take into consideration the following factors set out in paragraphs 6.4 – 6.8. Households meeting these criteria will be prioritised for temporary accommodation within the district, subject to suitable units being available. It is important to note that this does not mean that such households are guaranteed to receive an offer of accommodation within Welwyn Hatfield Borough. If they are placed out of district however, they will receive priority for a suitable offer of temporary accommodation within the district as soon as is reasonably practicable to do so. Note also that a final assessment will be dependent upon a consideration of all the factors pertinent to suitability including those set out at paragraphs 6.1 – 6.2.

6.4 Households with children at secondary school in the district

As part of its duties to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, the Council will aim to minimise disruption to the education of children and young people, particularly at critical points in time such as leading up to taking GCSE exams and other national level qualifications.

6.5 Households requiring medical facilities and other support locally

The Council will consider the potential impact on an household if such facilities or support were no longer accessible following an out of area placement. The availability of alternative facilities will be considered.

6.6 Households requiring social services support or a need to maintain links with other essential services in the district

Particular consideration may be given to applicants with a mental illness or learning disability who have a particular need to remain in the district and to families with children who are subject to safeguarding arrangements.

6.7 Caring responsibilities

Households with a long standing arrangement to provide care and support to another family member in the district and where that family member would be likely to require statutory health and social care support if the support arrangement ceased. Priority for a local placement will be considered where there are no other relatives able to provide this care and no other suitable alternative arrangements are available.

6.8 Disruption to employment

Where possible, the Council will aim to place households with a member(s) in permanent and settled employment in temporary accommodation as close as possible to their place of work.