To adopt a new Homelessness Reduction & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 for the District.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Homelessness Reduction & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-24 and its  accompanying Delivery Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Strategy be adopted and;

(b)       the Housing Portfolio Holder be authorised to make amendments to the Strategy, if needed, after it is adopted and published.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a detailed report of the Housing Portfolio Holder (A.4) which sought its formal adoption of the Homelessness Reduction & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 for the District.

Members were aware that local authorities were required by Government to have a formal homelessness strategy and that they were expected to adopt a strategic approach to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in their local areas and plan for future needs.

It was reported that the proposed Strategy had identified four key strategic priorities to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in the District as follows:

·         Earlier Intervention and Education

·         Better Partnership and Holistic Working

·         Increasing the Supply of Suitable Accommodation

·         Exploring New Ways to Prevent and Tackle Rough Sleeping

The Cabinet was informed that the Strategy had been drafted following the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which had been the most significant change to homelessness administration and legislation since the first homelessness legislation had been passed in 1977. This Council’s new Strategy had been developed in order to reduce homelessness and rough sleeping in the District at a time when homelessness had been increasing both locally and nationally with associated social and financial costs.

Members were also made aware that the Strategy set out the national and local strategic setting for homelessness and the causes and demographics of homelessness in the District. It further set out the challenges the Council faced in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping and how homelessness was an issue that needed to be tackled in partnership with other agencies. The Council, as a community leader, could facilitate earlier prevention and better partnership working.

Having duly considered the information contained in the portfolio Holder’s report together with the contents of the proposed Strategy, as contained in the Appendix to that report:-

It was moved by Councillor P B Honeywood, seconded by Councillor Talbotand:-

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Homelessness Reduction & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-24 and its  accompanying Delivery Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the Strategy be adopted and;

(b)       the Housing Portfolio Holder be authorised to make amendments to the Strategy, if needed, after it is adopted and published.