BASILDON Council has voted to begin charging contribution payments for its provision of temporary accommodation across the borough.

Members unanimously passed a motion introduced by Cllr Andrew Schrader (Con., Billericay East) calling for the adoption of a policy which will see those residing in temporary accommodation paying a weekly charge on a trial basis; how much dependent on whether they are living in self-contained or non-self-contained housing.

Cllr Schrader told those in attendance how the costs incurred by the council in providing temporary accommodation for those in need had in the last 12 months risen by around 28 per cent, which, he said, "surpassed all of (his) worst imaginings".

Basildon is just one council of many which have seen a sharp rise in the number of families and individuals presenting as homeless.

More than 400 families have been placed in temporary accommodation by Basildon Council during the current financial year already, with this number set to rise to almost 800 before the end of the year, which will cost the authority roughly £2 million.

This is a startling rise from an annual cost of around £700,000 from out of the council's budget roughly two years ago. 

Cllr Schrader said that the council's increasing reliance on expensive nightly bed and breakfast and hotel accommodation – often in towns outside of the borough such as Harlow, Barking and Southend – has become "unsustainable and, frankly, is driving a coach and horses through our budget".

"Demand for housing assistance has never been more acute," he said.

"(Charging temporary accommodation fees) isn't some uniquely mean-spirited or miserly measure we've (the council) concocted; it's clearly the common and accepted practice."

Cllr Schrader told those present at the cabinet meeting that Basildon Council is "quite unusual" in not having implemented charges for those accessing temporary accommodation previously.

During a trial period lasting eight months, the council will begin charging £30.75 per week for individuals in non-self-contained accommodation and £49.30 for those in self-contained lets. However, this charge will not apply to those receiving full housing benefit.

Councillor Terry Webb (Lab., Lee Chapel North) said: "It is not homeless people causing a problem, but rather an ineffective system which is failing them." Councillor Stuart Sullivan (Con., Billerica East) agreed, saying that "robust but reasonable actions needs to be taken".

Council leader Andrew Baggott (Con., Burstead) said that although he had received a "less than satisfactory" response from central government regarding the issue of homelessness and temporary accommodation provisions, the council's priority "is always the benefit of our residents.

"We're not just sitting back."