A government grant worth £6.4 million has been awarded to Brighton and Hove City Council to assist with increasing pressures on adult social care provision and homelessness support across the city.
The funding, provided by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, will enable the authority to address rising demand through preventative measures and service redesign rather than relying solely on emergency responses.
Jacob Taylor, the council’s deputy leader with responsibility for finance and city regeneration, acknowledged the significance of the investment and noted that it would allow existing teams to extend their work in this sector.
According to Taylor, the expense associated with temporary housing and supporting those without stable accommodation creates substantial strain on council resources, particularly when combined with continued growth in demand for adult social care services.
The funding would permit a shift toward earlier, more efficient spending approaches.
The two-year grant period extends through the 2027/28 financial year and will also cover investments in digital infrastructure and technology systems designed to enhance both social care and homelessness support functions.
Current figures indicate approximately 2,300 families in Brighton and Hove are currently residing in temporary accommodation, while 5,358 local residents access at least one form of adult social care provision.
The council’s funding submission emphasised the financial vulnerabilities inherent in a crisis-responsive approach and advocated for a move toward prevention-focused strategies.
Planned initiatives include testing innovative methods to decrease dependence on temporary housing solutions, including placements outside the local area, alongside more effective management of adult social care requirements.
Taylor explained that the investment would facilitate earlier intervention and more meaningful support, helping to prevent individuals from reaching emergency situations.
According to him, this approach benefits both the council’s financial position and, more importantly, the individuals and families concerned.
The council anticipates that adopting improved technological solutions and enhanced data analysis will lead to better results for residents while also reducing long-term expenditure for the authority.