Last few days to give your views on our new Draft Homelessness Review and Strategy

Sefton Council wants local people’s and organisations’ views on its new strategy to tackle homelessness over the next five years.

A new, draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy has been written by research company Imogen Blood & Associates, who were asked to review Sefton’s homelessness services.

Service users
The researchers visited 12 different homelessness services and spoke in depth to around 40 people who had used those services. They interviewed 32 homelessness professionals. Another 27 professionals working in homelessness filled in a survey. And the company looked at lots of information about homelessness in Sefton.

The new, draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out eight priorities for tackling homelessness in Sefton over the next five years.

Priorities
Among the priorities are improving accommodation and specialist care and support for people with high health and/or care needs, to help find everyone the housing and care they need. Another priority is making sure people in temporary and supported accommodation get the independent support they need to find the right move-on option at the earliest opportunity.

Other priorities include improving the quality of emergency bed and temporary accommodation provision and develop accommodation for those, including younger people, who are in or close to work.

Access to affordable housing
Improving access to affordable housing and more focus on ‘hidden’ homelessness, and preventing people getting evicted are two more priorities along with providing  fund for more ‘floating’ support and continuing the work of the existing, specialist housing ‘link’ workers.

Following the research and production of the new draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, there will now be a 12-week consultation to make sure it is correct. The consultation starts today, Monday 30th October 2023 and closes on Sunday 21st January 2024.

Link
People can find a link to the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, at www.sefton.gov.uk/homelessness-strategy. There is also a link to an easy-ready version of the Strategy. If anyone is unable to access an online version or if they need a large print version, they can call 0151 934 3927.

Comments on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy can be emailed to [email protected].

Comments will be incorporated into the Strategy, where appropriate and following the 12-week consultation, a final version and action plan will be taken to a Council Cabinet meeting for approval in early 2024.

Hidden homelessness
Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, said: “While official homelessness figures for Sefton have been low in recent years, we know there will be a level of hidden homelessness.

“And with people still facing higher rents, mortgage rates, heating and lighting costs and inflated prices in the shops as a result of the national cost of living crisis, we could find there are people who find themselves needing housing support through no fault of their own.

“That’s why we want people to get involved and have their say to ensure we  get our new strategy and action plan right.”

Free computer and Wi-Fi access
People wanting to take part in the consultation but who are struggling to get online can take advantage of free computer and Wi-Fi access at all Sefton Council Libraries. People just need to visit their local branch to find out more.

You can use this link to find more about the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and consultation.