Set out in the Strategy are the Council’s priorities for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping within its Borough over the next five years.
Nuneaton and Bedworth Council’s new Homelessness Strategy sets out its vision to reduce homelessness in the Borough by providing information, advice, and early interventions to prevent those at risk of losing their home.
The Strategy aims to support people who are homeless, or threatened with homelessness, to find a safe and secure place to call home and reduce the use of temporary accommodation, and to end rough sleeping for good.
The Homelessness Act 2002 imposes a duty on all local housing authorities to carry out a review of homelessness in their area, and to formulate and publish a homelessness strategy based on the results of that review, at least every five years.
Developed against the backdrop of significant national and local challenges in consultation with Council partners, the Strategy includes the Council’s homelessness review findings and reflects the wider social and economic causes and effects.
Set out in the Strategy are the Council’s priorities for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping within its Borough over the next five years, from 2024 to 2029. Those priorities are to provide:
- access to free housing advice and/or assistance to all who are homeless or facing homelessness
- enable homelessness prevention
- relieve homelessness at the earliest opportunity to enable suitable alternative accommodation for those becoming homeless
- enable access to suitable and affordable accommodation that is sustainable, with support provided where appropriate
Cllr Clare Golby, Deputy Leader and Portfolio holder for Housing and Communities, said:
“Our aim is to better understand and address the underlying causes of homelessness and rough sleeping to enable a tailored approach for people with multiple or complex needs.
"By working collaboratively with our statutory and third sector partners, we aim to continue to develop a wide range of innovative solutions to effectively prevent and respond to those who are homeless or who are at risk of losing their homes, including the most extreme form of homelessness, rough sleeping.
"We will enable wrap-around support for those who are at high risk of repeat homelessness, and ensure early interventions are actioned to prevent those at risk from losing their home.”