Homelessness Strategy

The implementation of the Homelessness Act 2002 required local housing authorities to prepare a strategy to address any needs and gaps in the provision of help for homeless people. Following consultation with partners and stakeholders our strategy was developed to meet the needs of the homeless people in West Wiltshire and was published in July 2003.

In March 2005 the ODPM published ‘Sustainable communities: settled homes; changing lives’ and this paper emphasised the Governments continued investment in homelessness prevention and that housing was high on the Government agenda.  Housing is also a high Corporate priorty for West Wiltshire District Council and we are keen to prevent homelessness and offer an exellent service to our customers.

We updated our Homelessness Strategy in October 2005 in light of the above and in May this year we completed a further update before a full review will be completed in 2008.  To see the updated action plan click here.

Some of our most successful achievements have been as follows:

• Total elimination of families in Bed & Breakfast that has been sustained now for over 2 years
• Launch of the secondary school resource pack
• Restructuring of the Housing Needs Team
• Improved information literature
• Proactive approach to preventing homelessness now adopted
• Rough sleeping monitored – currently at zero levels
• Joint Protocol signed with Amber for Fast track emergency accommodation for vulnerable young people
• Implimentation of Choice Based Lettings
• Creation of a landlords forum
• Creation of a Homeless Forum

Since July 2003 we have regularly updated the Housing Partnership Liasion Group (HPLG) on our homelessness strategy action plan.  Since the creation of the Homelessness Forum. this group has also been consulted on any updates and will form a major part of the full review in 2008.

If you or your organisation has any comments please contact Adele Lodwig the Housing Needs Manager on either 01225 776655 or alodwig@westwiltshire.gov.uk

Homeless Strategy Update May 2006 Action plan (Word format opens in a new window)

Homelessness Strategy Review (PDF format - opens in new window)