No families in emergency B&B accommodation in last few months as council fights homelessness in Sheffield
A new report shows how Sheffield City Council is tackling homelessness in the city
There were no families housed in emergency B&B accommodation in Sheffield over recent months, a new report by the city council shows.
Having no families living in B&Bs between July and September 2026 was a first for the council since Christmas 2019, and comes as councils across the country face pressures from rising homelessness.
Councillor Douglas Johnson, chair of Sheffield’s Housing Policy Committee, said: “When a family loses their home, it can be an incredibly distressing and uncertain experience. While bed and breakfast accommodation is sometimes needed for an emergency, it is not a place where families want to be or should be.
“That's why it is very encouraging that we have reached a point where no families were placed in B&B accommodation during the last quarter. This will benefit children who can be traumatised for later life by living in inappropriate emergency accommodation.”
Sheffield City Council will bring the latest Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan update before the council’s Housing Policy Committee on Thursday, October 22.
It will outline progress made in supporting households at risk of homelessness and improving temporary accommodation options across the city.
The report shows that family B&B placements have reduced by 43.8 per cent over the past year, while the number of families staying in B&B accommodation for more than six weeks has fallen by 77 per cent.
Alongside reducing reliance on B&B accommodation, the council has increased its supply of dispersed temporary accommodation by 35 units, which expands access to private rented sector housing to help more people find stable accommodation.
The improvements have been delivered through partnership working between the council, housing providers, voluntary sector organisations and support services across the city.
The strategy update also highlights wider progress in tackling homelessness across Sheffield, including a reduction in people sleeping rough in the Annual Rough Sleeping Snapshot.
Coun Johnson added: “We know there is still more to do and we will not be resting on our laurels when it comes to combatting homelessness across Sheffield.
“Our focus remains on preventing homelessness wherever possible, helping people access suitable accommodation more quickly and ensuring families receive the support they need during some of the most challenging periods of their lives.”