At its Town Hall meeting on Monday, the cabinet is set to approve the adoption of the housing allocations policy 2025-2030, and the adoption of the revised homelessness and rough sleeping strategy 2025-2030.
In the foreword of the homelessness and rough sleeping strategy document, Cllr Sue Emery – who is the cabinet member for poverty, inequality and protection – said the strategy sets out the direction and priorities the council will follow during the next five years to address homelessness in Warrington in a ‘changing, challenging environment’.
“Not having a home can be a devastating experience and have long-lasting effects on individuals and families,” she added.
“There have been many challenges since our last strategy which has impacted homelessness in Warrington and across the UK, including the reducing supply of social housing, the barriers to accessing the private rented sector and a cost-of-living crisis.
“The coronavirus created several challenges for homeless services including delivering covid-safe accommodation to many more people who were rough sleeping and sofa surfing.
“Ongoing economic challenges faced by the council has placed many services under increased pressure whilst trying to make the best use of available resources.
“External factors have also impacted the demand for housing and accommodation in the borough including the refugees from Ukraine and former asylum seekers.”
The strategy includes an action plan, which will be monitored, to ensure the council and its partners deliver against the agreed pledges.
There are four pledges: increasing access to settled homes for people at risk of homelessness and providing more suitable, affordable homes for all, through integrated housing delivery – as well as improving the prevention of homelessness, ending rough sleeping, and improving lives.
In relation to ending rough sleeping pledge, the document says: “Providing a range of advice, accommodation, and support services to people sleeping rough so they can move away from the streets and access and sustain long term, settled accommodation.
“A successful temporary night hub project put into place in 2023 will be developed to become a permanent safe place to stay for those facing street homelessness.
“A full package of wrap around support and engagement will be developed to keep people from sleeping rough, provide personal support to address issues of health, wellbeing, improve lifestyles and assist with move-on accommodation.”