SIGOMA welcomes Government support on homelessness while urging action on temporary accommodation pressures

Posted on August 20, 2026

Responding to the Government's announcement of new measures to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, SIGOMA Vice Chair, Cllr Graham Morgan, welcomed the additional support for councils and the focus on prevention.

However, he warned that much more must be done to address the escalating temporary accommodation crisis, which continues to place severe financial pressures on local authorities:

"This is another positive step and welcome signal from the Prime Minister about the direction of travel when it comes to supporting councils to address some of the most pressing issues facing our communities. The recognition that homelessness requires urgent action, alongside increased funding and a focus on support as well as accommodation, demonstrates a commitment to working with local authorities to deliver meaningful change. We particularly welcome the flexibility being given to local areas, allowing councils and local partners to tailor their response to the needs of their communities."

 "However, rough sleeping is only one part of a much wider homelessness crisis. Across many SIGOMA authorities, councils are facing unprecedented pressures from rising homelessness applications and soaring temporary accommodation costs, which are placing huge strain on already stretched local authority finances.

 "Councils cannot continue to absorb these costs alone. According to the Local Government Association, expenditure on temporary accommodation increased by over 1000% in real terms between 2011 and 2025, with councils spending around £6 billion over that period. Those figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge facing local authorities.

 While this additional investment is welcome, it must be accompanied by long-term action to address the underlying drivers of homelessness that not only get people off the streets but prevent families and individuals from reaching crisis point in the first place."