Agenda item

*RESOLVED –

That the Council adopt the Derbyshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27.

REASONS FOR DECISION

1.                  Approval of the Derbyshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27 will ensure that the Council continues to deliver prevention, intervention and recovery to ensure people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping can access effective services and support.

2.                  By adopting this strategy, the Council will be able to meet the continuing challenges ahead including meeting the needs of those with multiple and complex needs, and the increases in the cost of living.

3.                  It is a legal requirement to have an agreed and published homelessness and rough sleeping strategy.

The Housing Options Manager presented a report seeking Cabinet support for Chesterfield Borough Council to adopt the Derbyshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27.

The Council had adopted the current North Derbyshire Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021-23 in June 2021.  The Strategy had been developed to manage the impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic and had accelerated partnership working across the County, to include delivery of a multitude of services to protect rough sleepers from harm.

The knowledge and experience gained had been incorporated into the development of the new Strategy.  Advice had also been sought from HomelessLink, a specialist homelessness consultancy and support agency.

There had been a considerable increase in demand for homelessness services, which were attributed to the legacy impacts of the pandemic, increases in the number of repossessions / evictions as a result of, cost of living pressures, notable changes in the complexity of each case and severe limitations on the availability of suitable alternative accommodation.

The Derbyshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27 was attached as Appendix 1 to the officer’s report.

The strategy included four clear priorities:

·        Make homelessness everyone’s responsibility through a system-wide approach

·        Prevent homelessness and respond through early intervention and personalised solutions

·        End rough sleeping and repeat homelessness

·        Develop sustainable supported and settled housing solutions

*RESOLVED –

That the Council adopt the Derbyshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27.

REASONS FOR DECISION

1.                  Approval of the Derbyshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27 will ensure that the Council continues to deliver prevention, intervention and recovery to ensure people at risk of, or experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping can access effective services and support.

2.                  By adopting this strategy, the Council will be able to meet the continuing challenges ahead including meeting the needs of those with multiple and complex needs, and the increases in the cost of living.

3.                  It is a legal requirement to have an agreed and published homelessness and rough sleeping strategy.