Westmorland and Furness Council has agreed a new five-year strategy for homelessness and rough sleeping.

At a meeting of Cabinet this week (Tuesday 30 April), members approved a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2024-2029 which sets out how the council will work with partners to prevent homelessness and the actions it will take to ensure people experiencing homelessness are supported to access accommodation that meets their needs.

The five-year strategy outlines the council’s approach to the prevention and relief of homelessness and rough sleeping, identifies key objectives, and includes an action plan showing the steps that will be taken to achieve them.

The development of a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and the provision of advice and support to prevent and relieve homelessness is a statutory duty under the Homelessness Act 2002.

The strategy also sets out the council’s approach to supporting victims of domestic abuse presenting as homeless, with the provision of support in safe accommodation for people escaping domestic abuse being a requirement under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021.

Both nationally and within Westmorland and Furness, presentations of homelessness are increasing as the demand for affordable accommodation outstrips supply. The council’s strategy identifies the current position with a view to working with partners to ensure an adequate supply of interim and settled accommodation is available.

Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Councillor Judith Derbyshire, said:

“This new strategy outlines how we as the council, working with our partners, will tackle homelessness to make sure people get the right support at the earliest opportunity to prevent the loss of their accommodation or access alternative accommodation where this is not possible.

“The provision of safe, suitable, long-term housing is fundamental to ensuring people are healthy, happy and able to lead fulfilling lives. We want people to reach their full potential and recognise that access to housing is essential in reducing inequalities such as accessing employment, education, healthcare and community activities, which enables people to achieve this.

“By agreeing this strategy, we can identify the needs of individuals and ensure that support is available to those in most need to make sure young people and adults alike are protected from harm and empowered to achieve their ambitions.”

Read the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024-2029.