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Expansion and improvements in homelessness support
20/10/2021
The plan aims to deliver up to 50 units per year of self-contained accommodation with intensive support
Oxfordshire’s councils and their partners are working together to build on existing work to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in the county.
A new homelessness prevention strategy was approved by the county council’s Cabinet yesterday (October 19). The strategy is the first of its kind and will bring more focus and co-operation across all organisations.
A rapid response when someone becomes at risk is at the heart of the plan, alongside a focus on individual needs and circumstances to provide greater levels of support. Funding of £3.8 million will contribute to the delivery of the strategy.
The proposals aim, wherever possible, to keep people in their local area where long term housing solutions can be found, rather than needing to travel to Oxford for accommodation and support services.
For those placed in temporary accommodation the strategy proposes a new Housing First approach to avoid temporary accommodation becoming long term. The plan aims to deliver up to 50 units per year of self-contained accommodation with intensive support.
Councillor Jenny Hannaby, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “There has been a huge amount of goodwill and practical co-operation from the county council as a provider of adult social care, the district councils in their crucial role as housing authorities, and the NHS in putting this plan together.
“This strategy builds on extensive existing work by all involved and will further deepen the way we work together. We all want to do everything in our power to prevent homelessness in Oxfordshire, and this revised approach will enable us to critically examine ways we can increase support. I’m pleased to have discussed this issue with my Cabinet colleagues at the county council on 19 October.”
The County Council strategy will see them move beyond the national homelessness legislation to intervene early and prevent homelessness, whether there is a statutory duty or not, and to deliver consistent tenancy sustainment support across the whole county. This will include using data to proactively identify those who may be at risk of losing accommodation, or of being discharged without accommodation already in place. This will also help ensure that individuals do not need to sleep rough to gain the help required.
Plans also include providing access to advocacy and informal support from peer mentors, a range of safe, dignified provision for people coming directly from the streets, and flexible accommodation that can be adapted for single people or couples. Additionally, the strategy will aim to create greater support for more vulnerable rough sleepers, such as women and those from LGBTQ+ communities.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam