Homelessness Strategy Consultation 2019-2024

Closed 29 Sep 2019

Opened 5 Aug 2019

Contact

0118 937 3580

Homelessness.StrategyConsultation@reading.gov.uk

Feedback updated 8 Oct 2020

We asked

…for your views on three proposed priorities for Reading’s next Homelessness Strategy to shape and inform our approach regarding homelessness over the next five years. This included determining if you felt there were any gaps we hadn’t identified.

 

Our proposed strategic priorities were:

  • Priority 1: Intervening early to prevent and reduce homelessness in Reading
  • Priority 2: Increasing access to decent, suitable accommodation
  • Priority 3: Supporting people who are vulnerable to recurring homelessness

You said

…you were in overall support of the proposed priorities with 93% agreeing they are clear; 93% agreeing with using Priority 1; 92% agreeing with using Priority 2 and 93% agreeing with using Priority 3 within a new homelessness strategy. You identified areas of disagreement and where you felt that priorities or groups had been missed.

We did

Following the closure of our on-line consultation and analysis of all stakeholder feedback, we drafted Reading’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2020 – 2025. The strategy will be presented to Policy Committee on 24th August 2020 supported by a full Consultation Report.

Results updated 8 Oct 2020

Consultation results showed overall support for the proposed priorities for our new homelessness strategy. Themes were identified from on-line responses regarding additional interventions and groups requiring support in preventing and reducing homelessness.

Files:

Overview

We are looking for your views on proposed priorities for Reading’s next Homelessness Strategy. Your feedback will shape and inform our approach and strategic direction regarding homelessness over the next five years.

Our existing Homelessness Strategy is not due for review until 2021. However, there has been significant recent legislative change and significant reductions in the use of emergency accommodation for homeless households since 2016. Several interventions in the previous strategy have been successful and consequently, we realise the necessity to review the borough’s needs and refresh our strategic objectives around homelessness.

A snapshot review of the borough’s existing Homelessness Strategy can be found here including further detail about why we have decided to review and re-draft our current Homelessness Strategy early.

The proposed priorities for our next Homelessness Strategy are:

  • Priority 1: Intervening early to prevent and reduce homelessness in Reading
  • Priority 2: Increasing access to decent, suitable accommodation
  • Priority 3: Supporting people who are vulnerable to recurring homelessness

The Council have developed a separate, but interlinked, Rough Sleeping Strategy 2019-2024 which provides specific strategic priorities for rough sleepers and people at risk of rough sleeping and a cross-sector, co-produced delivery plan is being developed with partners.

Our consultation will be open for 8 weeks from Monday 5th August 2019 until Sunday 29th September 2019.

You are invited to answer the consultation questions on this webpage. There will also be the opportunity to respond to questions on our social media pages (Twitter and Facebook) which will be posted throughout the 8 week period.

Alongside this wider public consultation we will undertake focus groups and workshops with partners that work directly with homeless households. We will also undertake informal interviews with people who have experienced homelessness and repeat homelessness. By consulting with these groups in a targeted way, we hope to ensure that their expertise and voices are genuinely represented.

Why your views matter

We are asking for your views on our three proposed priorities for the borough’s next Homelessness Strategy to see whether or not you agree with them and to determine if there are any gaps we haven’t identified. We are relying on you contributing your knowledge, experience and thoughts to ensure that we are tackling the right issues and so that the right improvements are being made.

Please contact us on 0118 937 3580  or via email on Homelessness.StrategyConsultation@reading.gov.uk if:

  • You have any questions about the consultation
  • You would like to receive a hard copy of the consultation questionnaire
  • You require additional support to understand or complete the questionnaire
  • You would like to invite us to visit interest groups to talk about our proposed priorities and take feedback

If you prefer, you can write to us to let us know your comments at: Homelessness Pathways Team, Housing Needs, First Floor South (Rear), Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU

If you are interested in the work the Council are doing to help people who are homeless in Reading, read our blog here.

What Happens Next?

This consultation closes on Sunday 29th September 2019.

A report on the consultation responses received and a draft of the borough’s Homelessness Strategy 2019-24 will be presented at the Council’s Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee.

Our intention is to bring together all of our key stakeholders in developing and agreeing our Homelessness Strategy delivery plan; ensuring that it is clear, coordinated and accountable and that our priorities are achieved and progress is tracked.

What happens next

This consultation closes on Sunday 29th September 2019.

A report on the consultation responses received and a draft of the borough’s Homelessness Strategy 2019-24 will be presented at the Council’s Housing, Neighbourhoods and Leisure Committee.

Our intention is to bring together all of our key stakeholders in developing and agreeing our Homelessness Strategy delivery plan; ensuring that it is clear, coordinated and accountable and that our priorities are achieved and progress is tracked.

Areas

  • All Areas