Residents invited to have their say on homelessness in the city

A review has been launched in Stoke-on-Trent to help identify what more needs to be done to support the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The city council is carrying out the important piece of work to help it understand the current and likely future state of homelessness in the city and identify the prevention measures which need to be in place for residents who may become homeless.

The review forms part of the council’s ongoing commitment to support the city’s most in-need residents and ensuring everybody has a decent place to call home.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing and planning, said: “We have made some really positive progress, so much so that we are actually the best performing local authority in the West Midlands for preventing and relieving homelessness, for the fifth year in a row.

“Despite all of our hard work, and the support from our partners, homelessness and rough sleeping have increased in the city over the years, in line with the national picture.

“Through this review we want to develop new and innovative approaches to preventing and relieving homelessness in the city, especially focusing on residents who are at risk of experiencing the most harmful outcomes.

“So, whether you have personal experience, know someone who has or are just interested in helping us to improve things, we would like to hear from you.”

The Homelessness Act 2002 requires all local housing authorities to carry out a review of homelessness every five years, and use the findings to publish a strategy setting out how it will prevent and reduce homelessness and provide support to those affected by it.

During the lifetime of the 2020-2025 Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, the city council has achieved many positive outcomes including;

• the launch of a new Homelessness Hub in Hanley;
• the creation of 74-new bed spaces through various rough sleeping programmes;
• the implementation of the Changing Futures programme for people with complex needs;
• a range of new measures to improve access to the private-rented sector;
• the introduction of a Pre-Eviction Protocol within supported housing providers;
• the commission of the new Homeless Healthcare Service which provides medical provision to the homeless community;
• the recruitment of several new specialist members of staff;
• and the award of around £20 million of funding for new rough sleeping initiatives.

Residents are now being invited to submit their views about homelessness and rough sleeping in the city by Sunday 24 November by visiting www.stoke.gov.uk/homelessreview and filling in the online form.

All of the feedback gathered from the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Review will be considered in the development of the city council’s next Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which will be launched next year.