Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme allocations for 2026/27
This page sets out background and allocations for the £30 million 3-year Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme.
Applies to England
Documents
Details
As detailed in the National Plan to End Homelessness, the government has set a target to eliminate the unlawful use of bed and breakfast (B&B) for families by the end of this Parliament, and to improve the quality and suitability of temporary accommodation placements. In support of this, the government has committed £30 million for a three-year Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme. This builds on the reduction in B&B use achieved through our Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilot 2025/26. In June 2026, MHCLG launched the first year of the programme for 2026/27.
Year 1 (2026/27)
Despite progress, concerted work is still needed to bring down the use of B&B, particularly use of unlawful placements beyond 6 weeks. On this basis, year one of the Emergency Accommodation Reduction Programme will provide targeted funding and additional support to local authorities with the highest B&B pressures.
£10 million of the available funding in 2026/27 will be provided to 23 local authorities to deliver and maintain progress with B&B reduction and ensure suitable alternatives. Local authorities have been selected based on the number of families in bed and breakfast placements over 6 weeks, using homelessness data at the time of selection (July-September 2025). Funding has been allocated using a formula and local authorities with the highest number of families in bed and breakfast for over 6 weeks will receive higher amounts of funding. Details on how the funding is distributed is set out in the downloadable document on this page.
This funding should support local authorities to develop and implement good quality, suitable alternative place-based accommodation models to reduce reliance on B&B placements and ensure sufficient on-going supply to meet forecasted demand. Activities should include focus on improving systems for the management of temporary accommodation, targeting support to families in B&B including focused move-on support, enhancing delivery of actions within their existing B&B Elimination Plans and ensuring suitable, good quality and sustainable alternatives. Alongside support from MHCLG’s expert Area Advisers, funding will provide the local authorities with the opportunity to develop and apply placed-based temporary accommodation models, as well as opportunities to share good practice.
Years 2 and 3 (2027/28 and 2028/29)
Subject to continued reductions in B&B use, the new programme will focus on addressing wider priorities to improve outcomes for households in temporary accommodation. Further details will be provided on this in due course.