Difficulties in finding bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless people in Brighton and Hove are caused not just by cost but also by a shortage of suitable accommodation in the city (The Argus, July 12).
As with other local authorities, we have a statutory duty to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people. If we can't secure appropriate accommodation in the city, we have no choice but to look elsewhere.
We always seek to place people as near to the city as possible.
Budgets are under severe pressure, so we have a responsibility to local council taxpayers to deliver cost-effective solutions to homelessness problems.
We would not go ahead with a formal arrangement regularly to place people in Eastbourne without prior consultation with Eastbourne Borough Council and we have no intention of placing people outside the city and forgetting about them.
Any proposal would have to ensure that appropriate support was provided to prevent isolation and enable people to remain in touch with relevant support networks.
chairman, housing committee
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article