Stoke-on-Trent City Council spent more than £1 million on hotel rooms for homeless people last year.

The council placed 933 families and individuals in B&Bs on temporary basis in 2024/25, up from 846 in the previous year.

This cost a total of £1.06 million, and while the council was able to claim a central government subsidy to cover some of the expense, this still left an £850,317 bill for local taxpayers.

The amount the council spends on temporary B&B accommodation for homeless people has increased dramatically in recent years, as homeless applications have increased both locally and nationally.

In 2017/18, the net cost to the council was just £90,873, rising to £564,786 in 2023/24.

And the record amount spent in 2024/25 could be equalled or even surpassed this year.

By November 26, the council's net spend for placing 584 households in hotel accommodation had reached £573,849, with four months of the year still to go.

In 2024, council leaders approved plans to procure nightly paid accommodation from a new framework agreement, as a more cost-effective alternative to using hotels.

But this project has been put in hold while the authority explores other options that could offer better value for money.

Cllr Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said plans to lease accommodation, such as former student flats, on a longer-term basis would be coming forward in the new year.

He said: "We're looking at three or four sites around the city. The owners of the buildings have been quite receptive to our proposals.

"There should be a report coming to cabinet in January or February.

"Using hotel accommodation just isn't sustainable. We can't keep spending that sort of money.

"There will be a cost-saving associated with using leased accommodation, but it will also be better for the people.

"Hotels aren't an ideal place to live, especially for families, and they often don't have any cooking facilities."

Local authorities have a legal duty to assist people facing homelessness, and this can often mean placing them in emergency accommodation on a short-term basis.

In addition to the use of hotel accommodation, the city council also has its own homeless units

Last year the council had 40 homeless units, up from 28 previously, after moving some homes from its general housing stock.

Homeless families should only be placed in hotels for a maximum of six weeks, but in recent years the city council has had to breach this statutory limit due to the lack of alternative accommodation.

Concerns have previously been raised over crime and anti-social behaviour linked to homeless people occupying specific hotels in the city, such as the Sneyd Arms in Tunstall.

Cllr Robinson said the council is aware of other authorities also using hotels in the city as short-term accommodation for homeless people.

He said: "They don't tell us they're doing it, they just go onto the booking website and book a room. But that is going to have an impact on our own local services."

The city council is therefore looking to prevent this by block-booking rooms, with support services being placed in the hotel.