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Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023 - 28 consultation

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This consultation has closed.

Overview

The draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 sets out how over the coming five years we will work with our partners to prevent homelessness and support those who face or are at risk of becoming homeless.

This new strategy is intended to further the council’s existing approach to preventing homelessness, and to focus our efforts on identifying new and innovative ways to respond to the challenges we are likely to face over the coming five years.

Our approach is focused on three themes that shape the key priorities and actions that will help us to achieve our goals:

Overview

The draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-28 sets out how over the coming five years we will work with our partners to prevent homelessness and support those who face or are at risk of becoming homeless.

This new strategy is intended to further the council’s existing approach to preventing homelessness, and to focus our efforts on identifying new and innovative ways to respond to the challenges we are likely to face over the coming five years.

Our approach is focused on three themes that shape the key priorities and actions that will help us to achieve our goals:

  • Prevent homelessness.
  • Ensure a sufficient supply of accommodation.
  • Provide support for people who are or have been homeless.


What we are seeking your views on

We are keen to give everyone who lives in Barnet the opportunity to have their say. Listening to the views and concerns of residents and communities is an important part of the development of our new strategy. The consultation is an opportunity for you to give your views on preventing homelessness in the borough. In particular we are seeking your views on:

  • Our proposed themes and the ambitions that will help us to achieve our goals.
  • Whether you think the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy addresses the most important housing issues we face in Barnet.


How to have your say

Please take the time to read the draft strategy before completing our online questionnaire.

You may also find it helpful to review the evidence base that supports the draft strategy, and we have provided a summary version of the draft strategy.

To request a printed copy of the questionnaire or an alternative format, please email: housingstrategy@barnet.gov.uk or telephone: 020 8359 3608. Alternatively, you can write to us at: Housing and Growth, London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale, London, NW9 4EW.


To take part in another Housing-related strategy consultation please click on the homepage here.

This consultation has closed.

  • We asked, you said, we did

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    We asked

    We asked for your views on the proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which seeks to prevent homelessness; ensure a sufficient supply of accommodation; and provide support for people who are or have been homeless.

    You said

    We received 16 responses to an online consultation questionnaire and held a series of focus groups including: care leaver, adult social care clients, and key homelessness services partner agencies. This feedback suggested:

    • you wished to see more work on homelessness prevention, particularly the challenge of providing mental health support
    • there should be greater ongoing support for those placed in temporary accommodation
    • you expressed a wish for intervention at an early stage
    • that we should consider using council buildings for temporary accommodation
    • you wished to see help offered to people with no recourse to public funds.

    We did

    The final Strategy document was amended to reflect the comments we received and was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 18 July 2023. As a result:

    • we are working with Barnet Homes to introduce new initiatives to prevent homelessness and offer support to those with mental health needs
    • the strategy sets out the steps we are taking to support those in temporary accommodation who have support needs
    • the strategy places an emphasis on early intervention to prevent homelessness
    • we are working with Barnet Homes to identify how we can most effectively provide additional temporary accommodation. This will include considering any underused council land or buildings
    • all councils are limited in what help we can offer those with no recourse to public funds. While the strategy does not specifically address this issue we will continue to do all we can to help meet the needs of those qualifying for support.