Homelessness

There are several key challenges facing the borough's residents, that have an impact on homelessness or rough sleeping.

Social and affordable housing

There is a need to increase available social and affordable housing. We need to ensure access to suitable and affordable Private Sector Accommodation for our residents.

For those most vulnerable residents in need of temporary accommodation, the Short Term Supported Housing contracts expire on 30 September 2026. This will mean the need for re-procurement of contracts.

Case complexity is increasing. We signpost these individuals to support for confronting underlying causes of homelessness.   

Clearing the asylum backlog may have an impact on how many people present to homelessness services, particularly rough sleepers.

There may also be an increase in homelessness presentations because of the early release scheme for some offenders.

Funding

Increasing interest rates has resulted in rent rises, pricing some residents out of the market. Interest and inflation also increased in 2023 to 2024, resulting in large increases to mortgage repayments and household bills.

There is uncertainty around the funding that Local Authority Homelessness Services are provided by central government, which can prevent the ability to plan strategically.  

The forthcoming implementation of the Renter's Right Bill and the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Act, as well as the continued influence of the Homelessness Reduction Act will likely have some impact on homelessness presentations.