Homelessness Crises in Sunderland

A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) response from Sunderland City Council has revealed a significant increase in spending on emergency and temporary accommodation for homeless households. According to the data (FOI ref: 10249, dated 23 December 2025), gross expenditure nearly doubled from £1,874,782 in 2023/24 to £3,391,066 in 2024/25.This rise comes from payments to over 50 providers, including hotels, B&Bs, holiday lets, private rentals, and supported housing. Notable recipients in 2024/25 include:

• Click Travel: £756,766 (categorised as “other”)
• Changing Lives: £482,857 (supported accommodation) — a charity providing homelessness support in the North East
• Xander Estates Ltd: £471,567 (holiday lets)
• Oceander Abodes Ltd: £221,555 (holiday lets) — a community interest company offering temporary housing in Sunderland and South Tyneside
• Gentoo Group Ltd: £30,707 (supported accommodation)

The average nightly cost per household across these placements is around £100.These figures align with broader trends in Sunderland and across England:

• The average time households spend in temporary accommodation has nearly tripled, from 11.7 days in 2020 to 32 days in 2024 (based on council data reported in May 2025).
• In December 2024, 150 households (including 118 children) were in temporary accommodation, up from 90 households (44 children) in December 2023.
• Nationally, councils spent £2.8 billion on temporary accommodation in 2024/25, with costs rising rapidly due to shortages in affordable housing and increased demand.

LLR praises the council’s efforts to provide emergency shelter but calls for:

• Greater transparency, including voluntary publication of contracts and procurement details.
• Independent reviews of spending and provider performance.
• Stronger emphasis on homelessness prevention and faster transitions to permanent housing.
• Improved support for those in temporary placements.

This local spike reflects a national homelessness crisis, driven by factors like private rent increases, limited social housing, and post-pandemic pressures. The UK government has acknowledged the issue, with increased funding for prevention in 2025/26, but experts stress the need for more affordable homes to reduce reliance on costly temporary options.

If you’re affected by homelessness in Sunderland, contact the council’s Housing Options team at 0800 234 6084 for advice or support.