Record number of households living in temporary accommodation across North Yorkshire
A record number of households are living in temporary accommodation across North Yorkshire despite a fall in the number of people approaching the council for homelessness support, newly published figures reveal.
Almost 300 households were living in temporary accommodation at the end of the second quarter of 2026/27, the highest figure recorded since local government reorganisation in 2023, according to figures released by the council.
The number of households in bed and breakfast accommodation and hotels also hit a new high, with 165 households placed in such accommodation by the end of September.
However, homelessness presentations fell to a nine-quarter low, with 722 households approaching the council during the period.
According to the report, the council’s homelessness prevention and relief success rate improved to 84.4 per cent, up from 80.5 per cent a year earlier, meaning more households were either prevented from becoming homeless or had their homelessness resolved.
Officers have warned that growing numbers of households remain stuck in temporary accommodation while waiting for suitable long-term housing.
The report stated: “The council is seeing the highest rate of temporary accommodation and B&B use since the local government reorganisation.
“What is less clear is when these pressures will begin to ease.”
It added: “While this is a concerning result for the quarter, it is likely that this represents the peak of this particular wave and it is anticipated that the number of households in temporary accommodation will reduce in the coming months based on lower demand at the inception of the process.”
Council officers said further work was needed to understand the barriers preventing people from moving out of temporary accommodation and into permanent homes.
“What may prove to be problematic is understanding the barriers facing many of the households in temporary accommodation and the availability of suitable housing for them to move into,” the officers said.
The report notes that while fewer people are now seeking homelessness assistance, securing suitable accommodation for those already in temporary housing remains a significant challenge.