Somerset residents will not be displaced to make way for emergency housing, Somerset Council has assured, amid concerns over plans to address the county’s housing shortage. Currently, over 12,000 people remain on Somerset’s housing register, with many families temporarily placed in bed-and-breakfasts while awaiting permanent homes.
To tackle this, the council will invest nearly £3.4 million over the next year to acquire up to 15 properties, transforming them into emergency and temporary accommodations for families in need. These homes will primarily be purchased through Section 106 agreements, which ensure affordable housing is included within new developments.
Contrary to fears raised by Reform UK opposition group leader Councillor Bente Height about forced evictions, the council clarified that the properties will be newly built homes acquired directly from developers and will not involve removing existing tenants. The funding comes from the council’s housing revenue account (HRA), a self-sustaining budget made up of tenant rents rather than general taxpayer money.
READ MORE: Somerset Crown Court Faces Record Backlog with Thousands Awaiting Justice
READ MORE: Challenges Mount for Somerset’s Rural Housing Plan as Key Site Struggles Cost Council Thousands
Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, responsible for communities and housing, explained that this initiative is a strategic investment focused on providing stability and dignity for vulnerable families. Initially, these homes will serve as emergency housing, helping reduce the council’s reliance on costly temporary accommodations. After about two years, the properties will be converted into regular social housing and made available through the council’s Homefinder system.
The highest demand for housing is currently in the western and northern parts of Somerset, including the former Somerset West & Taunton and Sedgemoor areas, where the scheme is expected to begin. Council officials emphasize this approach aims to meet urgent needs without undermining the private housing market, as many of these properties are surplus units from new developments that have not been sold.
Despite ongoing challenges, the council’s plan represents a pragmatic step toward a more resilient, inclusive housing system in Somerset, delivering much-needed support while ensuring existing communities are protected from disruption.