Harrogate Borough Council spent more than £350,000 on bed and breakfast accommodation for homeless people from the start of the first lockdown until the end of last year.

The local authority worked with some businesses in the district to put people up. But it also sent some homeless people as far as Darlington, which is more than an hour’s drive from Harrogate.

People were also sent to Leeds and York.

The Stray Ferret understands it was necessary to use accommodation elsewhere because some empty hotels in the district were reluctant to accept homeless people.

From March to December, the council spent £353,000 on B&Bs and more than £1,400 on taxis for homeless people, according to council documents.

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The national government covered the cost through a grant as part of its “Everyone In” scheme to get people off the streets during the pandemic.

A spokeswoman from Harrogate Borough Council said:

“The coronavirus pandemic has placed extra demand on our homelessness service, which accounts for the additional spend in recent months.

“We received a government grant to provide accommodation for rough sleepers or those at risk of rough sleeping in the Harrogate district.

“We may sometimes use accommodation in another council area, but at all times the receiving local authority is notified and the person continues to be supported by our homelessness team.”

The Local Government Association published a report in November, which found that Everyone In saved saves by encouraging councils to take rapid action.

Liz Hancock, chair of the Harrogate Homeless Project, echoed those findings and told the Stray Ferret:

“The Everyone In scheme was a relief. We recognise how hard Harrogate Borough Council has worked and continues to work on this.

“This was emergency action but the council is now looking at long-term solutions to keep people off the streets.”