Chichester District Council is to contribute £325,000 towards the cost of buying four properties to add to its stock of temporary housing.
The money, which will be added to a £1.6m grant from the government’s Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), was approved during a meeting on Tuesday (May 19).
The aim of the LAHF is to reduce the use of expensive nightly paid accommodation such as bed & breakfast for families in need – and also to provide settled housing for Afghan families being supported through the Afghan Resettlement Programme.
To receive the grant, the council has to deliver both parts – four homes for temporary accommodation and four for the resettlement programme.
Since 2023/24, the council has receive more than £4m from the fund across three rounds of grants.
The first round was solely to provide accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine and Afghanistan. The second was for the Afghan Resettlement Programme, and the third provided both temporary accommodation and resettlement units.
A total of 26 homes have been bought – but the need for temporary housing is not small. Oona Hickson, cabinet member for housing, told the meeting that the council had 79 units of temporary accommodation, but was also having to pay for 100 households to stay in bed & breakfast or hotels.
Get the latest BREAKING NEWS for the SOUTH on your phone by downloading the V2 RADIO APP today!
V2VOUCHERS.CO.UK is offering half-price deals on a wide range of experiences across the South, from meals out at local restaurants to tickets for some of the region’s biggest events.


Heat alert remains in place as RNLI issues beach safety advice
New name for Alexandra Theatre in Bognor Regis
New hovercraft route to and from the Isle of Wight trial backed by politicians
Portsmouth Water launches consultation on future drought plans
Lifestyle destination Fernleigh continues to grow in Chichester city centre
Chichester housing roadshow to offer free advice across the district
Gatwick passengers with Easyjet reassured as Iran conflict puts pressure on some airlines
New image released in search for missing man last seen in Petersfield
Sussex Police officer charged with off-duty driving offence
Almost £1m approved to replace Chichester’s White Pavilion

