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Reducing need for temporary accommodation part of new homelessness consultation  

Minimising the use of temporary accommodation* which can be disruptive to people’s lives, especially for children, is one key aim of proposed updates to how councils tackle homelessness in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse.  

Increasing the provision of genuinely affordable, long-term homes remains a core focus of South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district councils’ work to reduce homelessness and end rough sleeping. 

The councils are now inviting people to have their say on proposed objectives for the new strategy to reflect changes in homelessness and lay out their plans. 

Plans include identifying issues early on such as ‘hidden homelessness’ and sofa surfing – as eviction by family and friends is the top reason for home loss in the districts.** The councils will continue to work closely with every individual at risk of homelessness to help them find sustainable accommodation.  

Whilst the numbers of people sleeping rough are relatively low in South Oxfordshire and the Vale***, the councils are committed to continue doing all they can to end rough sleeping by preventing it wherever possible. The council’s outreach team will continue to proactively identify any rough sleepers without delay, ensuring that they receive advice from the councils’ dedicated team. 

Supporting rough sleepers who have complex needs through continued partnership work is an important area of the strategy. By strengthening close, collaborative working with partners in health, criminal justice, the Department for Work and Pensions, social care services and local agencies, the councils will help those who are vulnerable and have multiple needs.  

Cllr Maggie-Filipova-Rivers, Cabinet Member for Housing at South Oxfordshire District Council said: “We want the new objectives to further strengthen how we help reduce homelessness and prevent it as well as support rough sleepers who are vulnerable and have complex needs.  

“Keeping the use of temporary accommodation to a minimum is challenging – but it’s an important focus in helping people who are at risk of homelessness. We’ve been making huge strides already by purchasing more temporary accommodation to reduce the use of nightly-charged temporary accommodation. 

“This strategy underpins our work on providing homes to those who need them most.  We will continue to find long-term, genuinely affordable homes for people. 

“Please do join in the consultation as we’ll review and consider everyone’s comments on the proposed objectives.”    

Cllr Andy Crawford, Cabinet Member for Housing at Vale of White Horse District Council said: “We’ll continue our proactive approach to tackling homelessness and ending rough sleeping. We also know that local partnerships make a huge difference to supporting people who are homeless or sleeping rough – the best results come when local councils, charities, and other groups work closely together. 

“The strategy lays out how we’ll continue our strong partnership work to make a difference, including sourcing long-term, affordable homes for people who are at risk of becoming homeless – helping to provide stability and security.  

“Please do look at our proposed objectives and have your say on this really important area of work for our communities.” 

The consultation is now open and runs until 11.59pm on 16 June.   

To take part in the consultation go to southandvale.gov.uk/homelessnessandroughsleepingstrategy/  

* At the end of April 2025 17 people were in nightly charged temporary accommodation in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse. At the same point last year, there were 33 people housed in nightly charged temporary accommodation.  The new strategy sets targets for 2025/26 as a maximum of 20 people in temporary accommodation per authority and a maximum of 8 people in nightly charged emergency temporary accommodation per authority. 

** Press release – South Oxfordshire: Councils prevent rise in local homelessness despite an increase in demand on services  

***Latest published figures on numbers of rough sleepers report a total of seven people sleeping rough in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse in March 2025 (four in South Oxfordshire, three in the Vale).  

South and Vale have managed to keep numbers of rough sleepers down, despite numbers nationwide continuing to increase. Numbers in England increased by 91% between 2021 and 2024.  See https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/live-tables-on-homelessness