BARNSLEY Council’s spending towards temporary homeless accommodation reached almost £800,000 last year, the latest figures have revealed.

Figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show the council recorded about £798,000 in net spending - the difference between the total outgoings and income - towards temporary accommodation for the year to March.

It was a 12 per cent increase from the £711,000 net spending in 2023/24, not adjusted for inflation.

Across England, council spending towards temporary accommodation reached £1.4bn in the year to March - up from £1.1bn the year before.

When adjusted for inflation, it marked a 31 per cent increase in net spending.

Net spending on nightly paid, privately managed accommodation saw the ‘most significant increase’, the MHCLG said, standing at £620m in the year to March.

It was up 92 per cent from an inflation-adjusted £323m in the previous year.

Spending on hostels was just over £36m, up 21 per cent from the previous year.

Meanwhile bed and breakfast accommodation cost nearly £400m, down very slightly from 2023/24.

Mairi MacRae, director of campaigns and policy at Shelter, said: “While the housing emergency is draining billions in public funds, families across the country are paying the ultimate price.

“Money that should be helping them into a secure home is instead shelled out on grim temporary accommodation, just to keep people off the streets.

“Private providers are cashing in on this crisis, charging eye-watering sums for rooms where children are forced to eat, sleep and do their homework on beds shared with siblings.”

She called on the government to set out a ‘clear overall target for the delivery of social rent homes’.

Tom Hunt, from the Local Government Association, said the figures show how ‘local authorities are having to stretch budgets further’.

He called for changes to the way councils are reimbursed by the government for temporary accommodation costs, saying current housing benefit reimbursement rules are outdate.

He said: “Councils must pay landlords according to current market rates whilst reimbursement for councils is linked to 2011 rental rates.”

A spokesperson for the MHCLG added: “These figures are not good enough.

“We will build 1.5 million homes so that everyone has a secure and affordable place to live.

“And as a first step to get on track to ending homelessness once and for all we’re spending £1bn on vital services.”

Coun Wendy Cain, cabinet spokesperson for public health and communities, told the Chronicle: “Temporary accommodation expenditure in 2024/25, when compared to previous financial year, has increased, mainly due to higher demand and rising costs.

“We are tackling this by focusing on early intervention to prevent homelessness, reducing reliance on B and Bs, and exploring more cost-effective, council managed accommodation.

“While these pressures are similar to those faced by councils nationwide, we remain committed to the welfare of our community and supporting those who need temporary accommodation.”