Issue - meetings

Background:

This report provided details of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2019-2024. The Strategy responded to the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, government guidance on homelessness and rough sleeping and current practice in Medway.

The report stated that the Strategy addressed five main themes, reflecting the advice of the current Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities:

·         Providing advice and information to prevent homelessness;

·         Identifying households at risk of homelessness early;

·         Intervening before homelessness occurs;

·         Preventing recurring homelessness;

·         Working with partner agencies.

The report set out details of the consultation process, as set out in section 6 of the report.

The Strategy had been considered by the Business Support Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 24 October 2019, details of which were set out in section 7 of the report.

A Diversity Impact Assessment had been undertaken on the Strategy, details of which were set out in Appendix 2 to the report.

Reasons:

The Homelessness Act 2002 requires all local housing authorities to carry out a review of homelessness and provide and publish a strategy based on its findings.

This Strategy meets that requirement and is named and planned in accordance with the government’s Rough Sleeper Strategy 2018 and is considered suitable by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government’s rough sleeper initiative adviser.