Homes bought to keep local homeless families out of hotels and hostels

Work is already well under way after Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council agreed the plan in July 2025, with several homes bought and more being lined up.  

Demand for help has stayed high as housing costs rise, fewer private rented homes are available, and more households need support. The purchases sit alongside other work to prevent homelessness and improve access to affordable housing. 

The council is buying self-contained homes with their own front door and facilities, so local families who have become homeless can stay somewhere suitable while they wait for a longer-term home. This helps people stay closer to schools, jobs and local support. 

The purchases form part of the council’s legal responsibilities to help households who are homeless, providing temporary accommodation while longer-term housing options are found. 

The homes are funded and held outside the Housing Revenue Account (the ring-fenced budget used to manage and maintain council housing). This allows the council to fund temporary accommodation to meet its homelessness duties, but it does not allow the homes to be used as long-term council homes. 

On average, it saves the council around £2,800 per home each month, because it avoids having to place families in more expensive hotels that are often not suitable for children.  

Every home the council buys is checked to make sure it is safe, suitable and a good use of public money, and is used to support households the council has a duty to help. The council is also working with landlords and local partners to help prevent homelessness wherever possible, and to increase the supply of affordable homes in the borough. 

Executive Member for Housing at Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Councillor Michael Mullaney said: “Rents are rising in Hinckley and Bosworth, just as they are elsewhere, and more local families are being pushed into homelessness. At the same time, the cost of providing temporary accommodation is skyrocketing. Instead of continuing to spend more on hotels that aren’t right for families, we’re putting that money into buying homes so families have a stable place to stay, and we can keep children closer to their schools and support networks while they wait for a permanent home.  

“We would dearly prefer to invest in more new council housing, but funding is limited, which is why we are continuing to work with partners nationally to push for a more sustainable long-term funding model for councils. 

“Also as stated by the Leader of the Council at the recent Executive Meeting, I would like to make clear that none of the accommodation owned by the council is being used for the Government’s asylum seeker dispersal programme.” 
 
One Hinckley resident who recently moved to permanent accommodation with her children after a stay in one of the council’s temporary family homes praised the scheme, saying “It was quite emotional when I moved into the temporary house as it felt so much more like a home. When you are living in temporary accommodation with children you want it to be nice and comfortable. It made a huge difference. I was closer to family in a much better setting. I am now pleased to say I’m living in a permanent residence. I’m forever grateful to everyone from Hinckley council that helped me get here.”