Council sets out action plan to prevent homelessness and help residents find secure homes

Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety, said: “Everyone deserves a safe place to call home. Our priority is to prevent homelessness wherever possible, but when someone does find themselves in housing crisis, we want to make sure the right support is there when they need it. 

“By providing more suitable accommodation locally and helping residents overcome the challenges they face, we can support more people into secure, long-term homes.” 

The Council's latest review of its Preventing Homelessness Action Plan shows progress in supporting residents at risk of losing their homes, increasing temporary accommodation and maintaining very low levels of rough sleeping. 

The Council is increasing its temporary accommodation provision from 22 to 52 bed spaces, helping more residents and families stay locally and reducing reliance on expensive emergency accommodation. Refurbishment work is also underway to ensure properties are of a good standard and meet residents' needs. 

Residents in temporary accommodation receive tailored support to help them move into permanent housing as quickly as possible. This can include help with housing applications, finding suitable accommodation, managing finances and accessing specialist services for health, mental health or other support needs. The Council also helps residents prepare for and maintain a new tenancy, reducing the risk of homelessness in the future. The Council also works with housing providers to find suitable places for families to stay, helping to avoid the use of bed and breakfasts. 

Demand for temporary accommodation remains a challenge, but a dedicated project group has accelerated refurbishment work to bring newly acquired properties into use sooner. 

This work forms part of the Council's wider efforts to tackle the housing crisis and increase the availability of affordable homes, in particular much needed social rented homes that have dropped in number over recent decades leaving a housing crisis in the district. Proposals in the emerging Local Plan would require 40% affordable housing on qualifying developments, with at least 65% of those being social rent homes that are rented at significantly lower than private market rents. 

Looking ahead, the updated action plan focuses on increasing earlier intervention, better access to housing and closer working with partners. By 2028, the Council aims to increase successful homelessness prevention and relief outcomes from 57% to 67%, end rough sleeping and continue to prevent families from spending more than six weeks in bed and breakfast accommodation.