Leeds senior councillors agree new homelessness strategy

Amidst financial turmoil and major housing shortages, Leeds City Council are working to ensure vulnerable people remain at the forefront during these difficult times.

At a meeting, which took place yesterday, senior Leeds City Councillors approved a revised homelessness and rough sleeping strategy, reinforcing the authorities ambitions to ensure that the city remains dedicated to helping as many people off the streets as possible.

The refreshed city-wide approach aims to prevent homelessness and help those at risk to access the right support at the right time to enable them to move on to a permanent home and reduce instances of repeat homelessness.

Within the past year, demand for homelessness support from the council has skyrocketed as the cost-of-living continues to bite. Around 6,500 households across Leeds have made an enquiry.

However, on a more positive note, in 80% of these cases the council has been able to deliver a preferred outcome, which is higher than the national average of 54%. Although, councillors have made it clear that they are aware more work needs to be done.

As it stands, the city have a pretty strong hold on tackling homelessness. The new strategy, as well as pointing towards how councillors could be doing an even better job, highlights some of the successes that have helped to get people off sleeping on the streets.

The development of ‘Advice Aid’ – an online tool – has allowed for over 2,500 people to access self-help.

The strategy, which was developed through Leeds councillors working closely with partners, sets out four key ambitions to address homelessness and rough sleeping.

These include:

• Universal prevention, which outlines the council’s aim to ensure there is accessible information of housing options across the city
• Targeted prevention, which sets out how the council aims to identify people who are at a higher risk of facing homelessness
• To deliver intervention and recovery through strong city partnership
• Delivering an integrated approach to developing the local authorities housing support model to ensure the right mix of housing options are available to support people on the brink of homelessness

Councillor Jessica Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: ‘Homelessness and rough sleeping are really complex issues and ones that this council are dedicated to tackling.

‘That means we need to be proactive ensuring that everyone has access to clear information and support around housing options prior to the not having a roof over their head as well as working with partners to ensure any instances of rough sleeping are, brief and non-recurrent.’

‘A significant part of the successful delivery of this strategy is the strong city-wide partnerships we have in Leeds, and I would like to extend my thanks to all those organisations that have contributed to the development and delivery of this strategy,’ Cllr Lennox said. ‘I am proud of the good work taking place in Leeds Housing Options and the service the council provides, however, I am not complacent and will work to ensure that the council meets its ambitions set out in the strategy over the next five years.’

Etienne Girardet