Record Number Of Households In Temporary Housing In Brighton And Hove

A record number of households are now living in temporary accommodation in Brighton and Hove.

Figures show 2,292 households were in temporary housing at the end of June — the highest figure recorded in the city.

The number has risen every month so far this year, surpassing the previous five-year high of 2,170 recorded towards the end of 2025.

During the first six months of this year, almost 50 households a week were assessed by Brighton and Hove City Council as homeless and in need of housing.

The council says people are finding themselves without a home for a range of reasons, including private rental agreements coming to an end, losing accommodation with friends or family, and domestic abuse.

The biggest monthly increase came in March, when 192 additional households were assessed as needing housing.

Councillor Gill Williams, the council's cabinet member for housing, says efforts are being focused on preventing homelessness at an earlier stage, while increasing the supply of affordable and council-owned rental properties.

The council is also facing rising costs.

A report last month forecast a £1.3 million overspend on its £14.6 million temporary housing budget, partly because of the high cost of accommodation and continued reliance on emergency housing booked on a nightly basis.

There are currently 444 households being housed in nightly-booked accommodation.

The council wants to reduce that figure to 181 by next March, while also cutting the amount it pays private landlords for temporary housing.

Brighton and Hove has been awarded £16.4 million through the government's Local Authority Housing Fund, which will be used to buy properties for temporary accommodation.

Councillor Williams says there is "no quick fix" to the issue, but the council is determined to help people move into secure and affordable homes.