Residents' views sought on council's homelessness strategy

The comprehensive document, that all councils have and must regularly review, sets out how the council and its partners will continue to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the district through to 2029.

The document builds on the ongoing efforts and commitment to preventing homelessness and aim to end rough sleeping for good, despite the significant nationwide challenges.

In Fenland, like many areas in the country, demand for the council's homelessness service has increased since 2018. The introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, the pandemic, welfare reforms, a national shortage of housing supply and the ongoing cost of living crisis has left more households than ever vulnerable to homelessness.

In 2018/19, the council received 1,856 requests for support, compared to 2093 in 2022/23, an increase of 12.77%. Since 2020, there has also been a 20% increase in requests from family households with children.

More people with complex needs are also reaching out to the council for support, resulting in the need for more homes with specialist provision, such as alcohol and drug and mental health support.

Locally, the main cause of homelessness is family and friends no longer being able to house someone, followed by a relationship ending, with end of private rented tenancy agreement being the third highest cause. The fourth highest cause is domestic violence.

Despite the challenges, in the 12 months to March 2024, the council successfully prevented 257 households from becoming homeless.

It has also reduced the use of emergency bed and breakfast facilities and hotels by successfully securing funding to deliver better short-term accommodation and supported homes.

Cllr Sam Hoy, the Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "Whilst we have made significant headway to reaching our goal of zero rough sleepers in Fenland, we face significant challenges in homelessness moving forward, with the cost of living crisis and those rough sleepers without recourse to public funds or those who are not yet ready to engage.

"Despite the challenges, our draft strategy is one of ambition and creativity. We hope it will build on the innovations already delivered by the council, strong partnership working and a service which is already delivering good outcomes for many people."

Fenland District Council has now launched a ten-week consultation on its draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Action Plan, running from Monday 8 July to Sunday 15 September.

The core aims and commitments in the strategy are:

• To use our housing powers to prevent homelessness, reduce rough sleeping, meet housing needs, improve housing conditions and keep homes safe and accessible, in line with the council's corporate business plan.
• To prevent homelessness wherever possible, involving teams being creative, and flexible, and working with partners to achieve this.
• To reduce/stop the cycle of homelessness and sustaining futures by finding suitable pathways for clients and increasing the number of supported placements within Fenland.
• Continue to work collaboratively with ambitious and experienced partners who are an integral part of the council's ambition to eliminating rough sleeping and homelessness in Fenland.

Have your say

The consultation ran from July to September 2024 and the survey results will be available in due course: Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

Anyone who feels they are at risk of becoming homeless should contact the council as soon as possible for support. Visit our Homelessness advice page or phone 01354 654321.

Keep up-to-date with Fenland District Council via Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and our newsletter The Fenlander Newsletter.

July 2024