Bedford Borough Council say there are set to be no homeless families living in hotels or bed and breakfast accommodation in Bedford Borough on Christmas Day.
Officers say the milestone has been achieved through wider work to reduce the use of emergency hotel rooms and tackle the root causes of homelessness locally.
Since January 2024, the council has brought 35 new properties into use as temporary accommodation, using capital investment to cut long-term spending on nightly-paid hotels and B&Bs.
Officers have also been working with landlords to make sure there is a sufficient supply of suitable temporary homes in the borough.
Between April and November 2025, 316 households were helped into settled housing, a 96% increase compared to the same period in 2022.
The council says that during December, only two homeless families stayed in a hotel or B&B accommodation, each for just one night.
Read: Street Relief Winter Appeal launched to keep Bedford’s homeless warm this winter
Hotels ‘last resort’
Cllr Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant (Conservative/Great Barford), portfolio holder for housing and regulatory services, said hotel rooms are now treated as a last resort for families.
She said: “Living out of a hotel room or B&B can be incredibly challenging, especially if you’re one family living out of a single room.
“Our work means there has been a steady reduction in hotel use for families, which are now considered a last resort and a focus on sustainable temporary accommodation.
“As a mother myself, I know that Christmas is both a wonderful time and a stressful time. I’m delighted that we’re able to do this for some of our most vulnerable residents.”
The council says work will continue in the new year to increase the supply of temporary and settled homes and to prevent families from becoming homeless wherever possible.
