A NEW policy making it easier for rough sleepers to find accommodation in freezing weather is being considered by Torfaen council.

Legislation requiring local authorities to provide temporary accommodation to ‘priority’ application could be extended to include those taking refuge on the streets.

Demand remains high in the county borough, with 180 households placed into short-term housing between January and December last year.

But a report has warned that any changes would prove costly for Torfaen council, which spent £362,601 on temporary accommodation for homeless households in 2017/18.

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“With rough sleeping becoming more prevalent in Torfaen, it is important that the local authority take some form of action to improve the current situation,” says the report.

“However, the ability of the housing service to facilitate this is severely limited by financial constraints.

“It would not be possible to adopt a more flexible approach to assisting rough sleepers without overspending on current budgets.”

Under Section 60 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014, local authorities are required to give advice to those who are homeless or at risk of homeless.

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A council is only obligated to provide temporary accommodation to pregnant women or households with children, teenagers, domestic abuse victims and someone suffering from physical or mental illness.

Many rough sleepers would not be given similar priority, according to the report, but making them eligible would be an ‘extremely positive approach’.

During a period of adverse weather in 2017/18, six rough sleepers received temporary accommodation at a cost of £1,750.

Short stays in bed and breakfasts were also offered to five rough sleepers during the cold snap this year, costing the authority £674.50.

The report says: “Ensuring that there is sufficient temporary accommodation in Torfaen is a difficult balancing act.

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“In addition, the use of B&Bs is problematic because all accommodation is located outside Torfaen, and the authority cannot currently afford to provide travelling expenses.”

Torfaen council has also donated £6,000 to the Mind charity in the last two years, while investing £600 to improve its cold weather provisions such as sleeping bags.

Councillor David Daniels, cabinet member for communities, housing and anti-poverty, will be asked to agree the principle of establishing a local policy supporting rough sleepers during freezing temperatures.

A decision is expected on March 1.