RESIDENTS and in particular, people who have experienced homelessness are being asked for their views on the district’s plan to tackle the issue as well as rough sleeping across Wychavon.
The draft homelessness and rough sleeping strategy sets out how Wychavon District Council and its partner authorities in Malvern Hills, Redditch, Bromsgrove, and Wyre Forest will work together over the next five years to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.
The strategy builds on work already carried out in recent years, which has seen thousands of people supported, new accommodation created for vulnerable residents, and closer working between councils, health services and support organisations.
The following five key priorities will guide the councils’ work:
- Preventing homelessness by tackling the root causes and helping people stay in their homes
- Providing targeted support for people most at risk
- Acting early to stop housing problems becoming a crisis
- Improving temporary accommodation and support for those who need it
- Helping people rebuild their lives and avoid repeat homelessness
There is a strong focus on early intervention before homelessness happens, alongside enhanced support for key groups including children and young people, victims of domestic abuse, ex-prisoners, veterans and care leavers.
The strategy also sets out how services will work more closely together across housing, health, social care, schools and the voluntary sector.
Increasing affordable housing, boosting the amount of good quality temporary housing to reduce the use of unsuitable bed and breakfast accommodation, and halving rough sleeping are also key aims.
A public consultation on the strategy begins today (April 13) and runs until Sunday, May 24.
Residents are encouraged to use the online form to share their views before the strategy is finalised.
The councils want to hear from people who have experienced homelessness or rough sleeping, users of current prevention and support services, community organisations or anyone with an interest in the proposed approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping.
Councillor Rick Deller, Wychavon’s executive board member for housing, regulatory and customer services, said: “This strategy builds on the fantastic work our team are already doing in this area to bring an end to homelessness and rough sleeping.
“But if we are serious about that ambition – and we are – then we have to tackle the root causes of both.
“That’s why this new strategy puts so much emphasis on prevention and early intervention before people end up in crisis when our options to help are severely limited.
“But we cannot tackle this problem alone. The reasons people become homeless or end up on the streets are multiple and complex. The support of our partners is vital if we are to make a real difference.”
Visit: www.wychavon.gov.uk/consultations and to take part.
