Support for families living in temporary accommodation

Families living in temporary accommodation in Hastings have been given financial support. 

The £55,408 from the government has paid for supermarket vouchers for children from 0 up to 16 years old. Families with children aged four to 16 will also be eligible for school uniform vouchers. All eligible families have been contacted directly by the housing team about how to receive their vouchers. 

This is one off funding so it will be a one-off payment for families who are in temporary accommodation and who receive universal credit on 30 January 2026. It will not be available to families who are placed into temporary accommodation after 30 January 2026. 

Cllr Glenn Haffenden, leader of the council and lead councillor for housing, said: “I’m pleased we have been given this additional funding to help support our families in temporary accommodation. I am particularly pleased that the Government’s intention with the funding was to support families with the challenges of having to live in a Bed and Breakfast, but as we do not have any families in that situation, we were able to use the funding for more positive things like these vouchers.

“However, it is important to say, that whilst funding is very welcome, we would rather households didn’t need to be in temporary accommodation in the first place. The Government could help us more by uplifting the Local Housing Allowance rate which would mean more Hastings households could stay in their homes or find homes themselves that they can afford.”