Council seeks consultation for short term housing need

Cheshire East Council is looking for temporary accommodation solutions as it makes preparations for the increasingly challenging economic landscape this winter.

The council is anticipating a need to procure an initial 20 properties, which would be based in a variety of locations across the borough with the focus on increasing the provision of good quality and well managed non-permanent accommodation. 

The council would initially like to consult with organisations with a proven track record in operating temporary accommodation, as there is the possibility that more innovative approaches may be required if the number of properties needed was to increase. 

Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council’s economy and growth committee, said: “We know that there are a great number of challenges that we will be facing in the coming months, as people feel the impacts of the current cost of living.

“Economically, these are difficult times for a lot of people, and it is extremely important that we are ready for that. Indications suggest that homelessness will increase, so it is vital that we can provide people access to better temporary accommodation, which doesn’t rely on emergency bed and breakfast arrangements.

“Historically, we have been fortunate to only experience very low levels of homelessness in the borough and we are doing everything within our powers to keep it that way. But as a responsible council, we need to be ready to protect our residents.”

The purposes of this consultation are to seek the views of organisations working within the sector, which in turn would help the council in any future procurement process.

Organisations wishing to put themselves forward can find more information on the council’s official procurement site: 

22 110 TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION SOLUTIONS (due-north.com) 

...or can contact:

procurementeast@cheshireeast.gov.uk