Homelessness Strategy 2020-2025

South Ribble Borough Council are pleased to introduce this new Strategy for the Prevention of Homelessness and Rough sleeping in the borough which sets out our priorities over  the next five years.

This is not the first strategy produced by the Council however it is the first to consider the effect of the Homelessness Reduction Act in 2018.

Housing and the homes that we live in play a key role in our lives and have a direct impact on our health and wellbeing and as such reducing homelessness is a key priority for the Council. Homelessness is not just manifested by rough sleeping, although this is homelessness in its most visible and distressing form. Homelessness is a complex issue and its causes are wide and varied requiring a joined-up approach with partner organisations in order to ensure that accessible accommodation is provided and support needs are met.

The strategy has been formulated following a review of homelessness in the Borough which involved extensive consultation with stakeholders and partners. The results of the review can be found at appendix A.

The Council is proud of the partnerships it has developed locally, with our neighbouring districts and also with key stakeholders across Lancashire. Through working together with the common goal of preventing homelessness and providing good quality accommodation to those who require it, the Council and its partners shall ensure that the number of homeless households within the Borough are minimised and those who become homeless receive good quality accommodation and support tailored to their needs.

This is the essence of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which will seek to continuously improve all that we do, adapt the new challenges and changing circumstances and work in an innovative and effective manner with partners to address the causes of homelessness as well as providing high quality services to those who become homeless.

Cllr Mick Titherington

Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Leisure