Charges rise for York’s James House homeless accommodation

Management charges at James House, in James Street, are set to increase by £14.28-a-week per flat to £38.84-a-week, with service and cleaning fees also set to rise.

Housing benefits will cover the hikes for most tenants, 54, but it will cost more for the three who pay for accommodation themselves.

A City of York Council report stated those leaving temporary accommodation were finding it extremely challenging to afford their new homes, leading to tenancy breaches and arrears.

It added those having to cover the cost of the hikes themselves would still pay less than they would in private rental homes.

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The council plans to use the money raised by increasing the charges to fund a Tenancy Sustainment Coach post first created for a fixed term in January 2025.

They help tenants prepare to move out of temporary accommodation including with bills, claiming benefits, jobs and skills, budgeting and hosting sessions for women.

More support and sessions could be offered by the coach but there is currently not enough money to cover the expansion of the role, according to the council report.

It added it would be possible to fund the role by increasing management charges for tenants from the current £24.56-a-week.

A fall in some utility charges is also expected to offset the increases, according to the council.

James House (Image: Supplied)

Weekly service charges for different sizes of flats have also increased in 2026/7 as follows:

• Studio- £11.93
• One-bedroom- £16.68
• Two-bedroom- £22.31
• Three-bedroom- £26.05
• Large than three bedrooms- £30.77

James House is managed all hours, with the equivalent of around seven full-time staff and a supervisor on-site from 8.30am to 8pm daily and night-time security.

Weekly charges cover utilities and council tax bills.

The council’s report on the move stated the majority of tenants receiving housing benefits so the hikes would not cause them financial hardship.

The report stated: “The ongoing cost of living crisis and reduction in York Financial Assistance Scheme (YFAS) grants means many customers leave temporary accommodation in a position where it is extremely challenging to meet the financial commitments of their new tenancy, and this is contributing to arrears and tenancy breaches.

“Wider factors of the financial crisis are beyond local control, however providing further support through group sessions will help customers to prepare for their tenancy and to access all the support available to help them furnish it.

“Sessions would include all aspects of living as a responsible tenant, as well as broader topics affecting resilience and wellbeing such as substance use, accessing community facilities and services, building peer support, healthy relationships etc.”