Councils’ plan to end homelessness
Broadland District and South Norfolk Councils have produced a new strategy to end rough sleeping in their districts.
The South Norfolk and Broadland Rough Sleeper Strategy 2022 to 2025 builds on successful work that has already reduced incidences of rough sleeping in the districts.
South Norfolk Cabinet Member for Better Lives, Cllr Alison Thomas, said:
“Our aim is to eliminate rough sleeping completely in the districts and this bold ambitious strategy outlines exactly how we are going to achieve this.”
Broadland District Portfolio Holder for Housing and Wellbeing, Councillor Fran Whymark, said:
“The reasons for rough sleeping and losing a home can be varied and complex. We have consulted with the public and worked with other partners to identify situations and circumstances which may lead to homelessness.
“It is key to our strategy that we provide help to people at risk, to prevent homelessness happening in the first place, and if someone does fall through the net, we swiftly find them accommodation and offer the support and help to ensure it won’t happen again.”
The Rough Sleeper Strategy has four priority areas:
- Prevention: Rough sleeping is prevented.
- Intervention: Offer the right accommodation and support at the right time. No second night sleeping rough.
- Recovery: The impact of the service is positive and long-lasting for the customer.
- Systems: Working together to eliminate rough sleeping.
The strategy will work alongside the Greater Norwich Homelessness Strategy 2020 to 2025, that also recognises elimination of rough sleeping starts with homelessness prevention. Both strategies sit within the Councils Strategic Plan and Delivery Plan and are a legal requirement under the Homelessness Act 2002.
Cllr Thomas added:
“No one should ever have to sleep rough. Our Help Hub is always on-hand to offer residents support, I would urge anyone at risk of becoming homeless to contact us immediately."
If you are at risk of becoming homeless, please call 0808 168 2222.