Huge reduction in children in B&B accommodation across Bournemouth

This Christmas there has been a substantial decrease in children living in Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

There are just eight families and a total of 16 children in B&B accommodation compared to 25 December 2023 when there were 84 families and 164 children.

Cllr Kieron Wilson, portfolio holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said: “At the start of the year we set out to reduce and ultimately end our reliance on Bed and Breakfast accommodation. It is the most challenging form of accommodation to live in and families simply do not have the facilities or conditions to thrive. It is the last resort, and our dependence on it was costly to the mental health and welfare of those living in it.

“Knowing that instead of 164 children spending Christmas Day in a B&B room, as few as 16 will be is a genuine source of pride for us. And whilst we believe that 16 children are 16 too many, it is over a 90 per cent reduction, in a context where the use of B&Bs nationally is rising instead of reducing.  I can only thank all those involved in making this happen.