Peterborough City Council has unveiled a major transformation in the way it tackles homelessness and rough sleeping — and early signs suggest the new approach is already making a real difference for local families.
Faced with unprecedented pressures on housing and temporary accommodation, the council has launched an Integrated Housing Transformation Programme, a comprehensive overhaul of its housing needs service designed to prevent homelessness before it occurs and reduce reliance on costly temporary accommodation.
According to the council’s latest report, “the council, like the rest of the country, is experiencing unprecedented homelessness pressures which are in turn driving temporary accommodation placements and management costs.”
In December 2024, the city recorded a high of 405 households in temporary accommodation, including 134 emergency placements, creating an overspend of around £1.7 million in 2024–25.
The impact on children has been particularly stark. As of December 2024, 418 children were living in temporary and insecure housing — 82 of them in B&Bs or hostels.
Higher demand than elsewhere
Peterborough faces above-average levels of homelessness compared with both regional and national figures. The report notes, “Peterborough has 5.42 households per 1,000 assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness, compared to 3.08 regionally and 3.19 nationally.”
The most common causes locally include evictions from private rentals, family breakdowns, domestic abuse, and people leaving Home Office or custody accommodation.
A whole-system transformation
To meet these challenges, the council has embarked on a full redesign of its services. The transformation programme aims to deliver “a whole system shift” underpinned by new structures, technology, and prevention-focused support.
This includes integrating housing help into a new “front door” model, making it easier for residents to get advice and assistance at the earliest possible stage. A new Housing Advice and Outreach Team will be based in community settings, providing targeted prevention support for those most at risk.
Meanwhile, the Rough Sleeper Team continues to provide day and night outreach, helping those on the streets to access health, housing, and wellbeing support and preventing repeat homelessness.
Sustaining tenancies and boosting private rental options
A dedicated Tenancy Sustainment and Support Team now works with people in temporary accommodation to develop life skills and prevent repeat homelessness. Another team is focused on expanding access to quality private rental homes, strengthening relationships with landlords and agents.
The results have been impressive. The council reports a 76% decrease in the use of costly emergency accommodation, saving around £100,000 per month, and a 33.6% reduction in the number of people in temporary accommodation overall. Most strikingly, the number of children in temporary housing has fallen by 43%, with no children now housed in B&Bs or hotels.
A fair and inclusive approach
The programme was informed by detailed analysis of local demand, including demographics. The report highlights that young people under 35 and Black and mixed ethnic households are disproportionately affected by homelessness in Peterborough. The council says engaging with these groups and promoting early help is “critical to reducing homelessness across the city.”
Looking ahead
Peterborough’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy, first launched in 2021, is being refreshed for 2027. The council has already held workshops with local partners and people with lived experience, aiming for a co-produced strategy that puts prevention and partnership at its heart.
As the report concludes, Peterborough’s approach is about “acting as one city to end homelessness” — a commitment to fairness, collaboration, and lasting change.
(Report based on: Integrated Housing Transformation Programme Update report, November 2025 to be presented to Prevention, Independence and Resilience Scrutiny Committee – Tuesday 4th November, 2025 6.00 pm)
