Issue - decisions

1.

Title of Item/Report

Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy

2.

Record of the Decision

Consideration was given to a report on the Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 required local housing authorities to adopt a strategic approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping. A review of the Council’s current strategy had been undertaken informed by engagement with key partners (internal, statutory and VCSE sector) and those with lived experience of homelessness. 

The Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 reflected a whole-system approach, working collaboratively with partners, communities, and individuals to deliver sustainable solutions to both prevent and address the root causes of homelessness and rough sleeping.

The Stockton-on-Tees Plan set out the Councils vision for the future of the Borough.  The  Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 aligns with this Plan, specifically the council’s aim to ensure that the diverse communities live happy and healthy lives and that the Council supports those who were experiencing poverty and disadvantage.

In developing the refreshed strategy, consideration had been given to the challenges faced by the Council.  Over the past four years (2021/22 – 2024/25) an average of 2742 individuals presented per year to the Homelessness Service, with an annual average of 2,297 Homelessness Reduction Act assessments being completed during the same period. Increasing demand from those who were experiencing or threatened with homelessness was not isolated to the Borough, rather it was a national issue.  The demand for homelessness services could be attributed to multiple factors including:

•           cost of living challenges

•           the limited supply of social and affordable Registered Provider housing

•           the lack of affordable housing options in the private rented sector and

•           wider social issues affecting the complexity of cases (vulnerabilities associated with drug and alcohol use, domestic abuse and offending behaviour for example).

During the same period (2021/22 to 2024/25) demand for temporary accommodation also increased, again consistent with national trends.  Whilst the council had a arrange of commissioned temporary accommodation services, demand had on occasions outstripped this supply, resulting in placements in ‘emergency accommodation’ (non-commissioned accommodation including the use of B&B and hotel accommodation).  301 single people and 82 families were accommodated in emergency temporary accommodation in 2024/2025. In all instances the Homelessness Service worked to minimise the length of an individual / family stay in emergency accommodation.  

In addition to preventing and supporting those who experienced homelessness the strategy also aimed to support individuals who may be sleeping rough.  Whilst the numbers of those who sleep rough within the Borough were not high, this was the most visible and often extreme form of homelessness.  Whilst homelessness may be the presenting issue, many individuals had complex lives shaped by personal vulnerabilities such as mental health, substance and alcohol abuse, trauma and an offending history.  These circumstances required more than a ‘housing solution.  Rather a personalised approach tailored to meet an individual needs, involving a range of statutory and VCSE services (i.e. drug and alcohol support, social care and health professionals and community-based support services).

The Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping 2025-2030 Strategy sets a vision “to minimise homelessness, eliminate rough sleeping and ensure residents were supported by relevant partners to access a place they were able to call home”.  This vision reflected the Council’s determination to end homelessness within the Borough.  To achieve this, the strategy outlined four strategic priorities designed to ensure the Council was equipped to address current and future challenges.  These priorities also supported the Homelessness Service and its internal and external providers in delivering positive outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.

The 4 strategic priorities were:

1)         Prevent and relieve homelessness

2)         Prevent rough sleeping

3)         Efficient use of temporary and supported accommodation, and

4)         Working in partnership

Consultation

To ensure that the strategy was reflective and shaped by partners (across all sectors) and importantly those with lived experience of homelessness a targeted consultation exercise was carried out. This included a survey (which included all those with an ‘open’ homelessness prevention case), focus group activity and an engagement session held within one of the commissioned temporary accommodation sites to facilitate direct conversations with those with lived experience of homelessness.

The consultation survey sought views on the four strategic priorities. The high-level results of the survey were summarised within the report.

The survey findings demonstrated support for the 4 proposed strategic priorities.

To ensure effective monitoring of progress against each of the 4 strategic priorities, an action plan would be developed to accompany the strategy. The Action Plan would be reviewed internally and in collaboration with stakeholder partners through the Homelessness Forum as the Council recognised that achieving the best possible outcomes for those who were homeless or at risk of homelessness required ongoing partnership working.

RESOLVED that the Stockton-on-Tees Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 be approved.

3.

Reasons for the Decision

The Homelessness Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 sets out Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s commitment to preventing homelessness and reducing rough sleeping across the borough. It ensures compliance with the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and aligns with national Government’s strategic priorities to end rough sleeping and prevent homelessness.  The strategy supports the vision of the Stockton-on-Tees Plan, particularly its ambition to reduce inequalities and improve outcomes for residents.

4.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None

5.

Declared (Cabinet Member) Conflicts of Interest

None

6.

Details of any Dispensations

None

7.

Date and Time by which Call In must be executed

Midnight, 26 September 2025