THURROCK councillors have welcomed a new report that they hope will pave the way to reducing the borough’s soaring homelessness bill, which is projected to reach nearly £10 million this year reports the Local Democracy Reporter.
The report, presented at a place overview and scrutiny committee meeting on Thursday, follows a 12-week independent review into the council’s homelessness service. Commissioned by cabinet member for social housing Mark Hurrell, the review uncovered serious failings in how the council has responded to rising demand and escalating costs.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Hurrell said: “This is a statutory service that plays a vital role in supporting some of our most vulnerable residents. Over recent years, the pressures have increased significantly – rising demand, limited housing supply and the cost of temporary accommodation have created real challenges.”
He added that the review was not about assigning blame but about “getting the clearest possible picture of the issues so we can put things right.” The findings have already been translated into a detailed action plan, supported by weekly working groups and a monthly board attended by senior officers and Mr Hurrell.
The review revealed that temporary accommodation placements rose by 171 per cent between 2020 and 2025, with only a small number of households moving on each month. Officers are managing caseloads up to three times the recommended level, and less than 13 per cent of the Homelessness Prevention Grant has been spent on actual prevention.
Claire Demmel, the council’s former executive director for place, acknowledged a “failure of leadership” and said staff had been trying to run the service with limited resources and “little or no support.”
Steve Liddiard, Labour councillor for Tilbury St Chads, also welcomed the renewed focus on prevention. “At the moment, we’re leaving it right to the last minute. People are in a desperate state,” he said.
The council owns 220 temporary accommodation properties but relies heavily on costly nightly-paid units. Plans are underway to increase incentives for private landlords, particularly those offering homes within the borough.
Key recommendations include restructuring the service into three specialist teams, creating a triage hub, and investing £250,000 in a home visiting team to clear backlogs and support early intervention.
The findings and action plan will continue to be scrutinised as the council seeks to stabilise its homelessness service and reduce financial risk.
