More than £1 million has been saved by Enfield Council through a targeted initiative designed to reduce the use of costly nightly paid accommodation and help families facing homelessness access more suitable long-term housing options.
Enfield Council’s Knock and Know project team visited more than 620 temporary accommodation properties speaking directly with residents about their housing circumstances, their continued eligibility and ensuring they had access to up-to-date information, advice and support.
During the visits, 48 nightly paid accommodation (NPA) bookings were cancelled as a direct result of the project, avoiding £1,197,160 of annual cost to the Council. This is because some residents no-longer needed the accommodation or were ineligible.
The visits also identified a strong appetite among residents to explore alternative housing options. A total of 214 families expressed an interest in moving on with support from the Council.
The project also helped address financial challenges facing some households, with 34 payment plans established to support residents in managing rent arrears and maintaining their accommodation.
Nightly paid accommodation is typically used as an emergency, short-term solution for households facing homelessness. However, it is one of the most expensive forms of temporary accommodation and demand has increased significantly in recent years as councils across the country face growing homelessness pressures.
Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Technology, Cllr Lee Chamberlain, said:
"The success of Project Knock and Know shows the value of speaking directly with residents and ensuring people have access to clear information about their housing circumstances and the options available to them. By engaging with families, we have been able to confirm that accommodation is being used by those who need it most, encourage residents to consider the opportunities open to them and support moves into more sustainable housing where appropriate. This has also helped reduce reliance on expensive nightly paid accommodation, delivering savings that can be reinvested in vital local services. Ultimately, projects like this help residents make informed decisions about their own housing options while ensuring the Council makes the most effective use of public money."
The engagement exercise provided valuable insight into residents' circumstances and housing aspirations. It found that many households are willing to consider alternative housing options when these are clearly explained and supported by practical advice. The findings will help shape future homelessness prevention work and support services across the borough.