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Homelessness Strategy
The Homelessness Act 2002 introduced new duties for councils to assist the increasing numbers of homeless people. As well as measures to strengthen the assistance available to people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, the Act is aimed at ensuring a more strategic approach to tackling and preventing homelessness.
The Council has submitted its Homeless Review and Strategy to the Government. This examines homelessness in the District and the resources available to help people. The strategy has three key aims
- To prevent people becoming homeless;
- To provide a safety net for those who do become homeless; and
- To increase the amount of affordable housing available to the homeless.
A copy of the Strategy can be downloaded below, as well as a copy of the first year review carried out in 2004.
Homelessness Strategy 2003 (cover) (194KB)
Homelessness Strategy 2003 (152KB)
Homelessness Review 2004 (459KB)
North Herts and Stevenage Homelessness Strategy 2008-2013
The Homelessness Strategy has been produced jointly with Stevenage Borough Council and with significant contribution from members of the North Quadrant Homelessness Forum.
Since the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2002, the Council has a duty to produce a homelessness strategy, the first strategy was published in July 2003. The outcomes of a Homelessness Consultation Event in November 2007 identified areas that require updating and gaps in services. This has led to the production of the Stevenage Borough Council and North Hertfordshire District Council Homelessness Strategy 2008-13.
The Strategy presents a five year plan to tackle homelessness through partnership working and preventative measures. It sets out six strategic priorities and objectives to improve services to persons affected by homelessness. The Strategy includes an action plan which forms an integral part of the document, it attempts to deliver tasks to meet these priorities and objectives:
- Prevention of Homelessness
To ensure a joint working approach to prevent homelessness and provide good quality advice about alternative housing options. - Tackling Youth Homelessness
To provide good quality specialist housing advice and homelessness services for young people. - Single People and Vulnerable Groups
To ensure the provision of effective advice and assistance for those who need support in identifying housing solutions. - Reducing the use of Temporary Accommodation
To maximise the opportunity for homeless households to access settled accommodation. - Partnership Working
The members of the North Quadrant Homelessness Forum will seek to develop appropriate partnerships in order to deliver high quality services that offer value for money. - Continuous Improvement
The North Quadrant Homelessness Forum will monitor performance of the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan, identify areas for improvement and oversee the delivery of enhanced services.
Progress and performance against each of these priorities will be monitored within the Action Plan. The Action Plan will be updated throughout the year and published annually.
Homelessness Strategy 2008 - 2013 (410KB)
