Homelessness Strategy 2017–21 Action Plan (Reviewed December 2019)
Objective 1: Prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies
Priority 1: Provide a housing prevention service to all clients
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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1.1 Improve the usage and variety of web-based Common Housing Problem factsheets |
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1.2 Continue to operate Council’s Money Support Team and explore extending service to partner agencies |
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1.3 Undertake a targeted financial awareness campaign through social media channels to raise awareness of financial responsibility, budgeting skills and help services |
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Priority 2: Ensure clients are referred to support services to get into housing or sustain their current housing
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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1.4 Identify and support the most vulnerable clients into supported housing to prevent homelessness |
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Priority 3: Ensure victims of domestic abuse are referred to support services and given timely advice and assistance
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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1.5 Monitor the number of enquiries from victims of domestic abuse, ensure housing service staff are trained to recognise and respond appropriately to victims |
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Priority 4: Provide support and assistance to single homeless people and rough sleepers
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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1.6 Continue to jointly fund East Surrey Outreach Service (eSOS) to enable them to operate their ‘no first night out’ approach across East Surrey |
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1.7 Provide a worker to support complex needs rough sleepers & those at risk and provide a service and accommodation pathway |
beds |
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1.8 Apply for MHCLG Cold Weather Fund |
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1.9 Provide supported accommodation for single people with complex needs |
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onwards |
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1.10 Apply for MHCLG Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) 2020-21 |
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1.11 Develop a pathway for Rough sleepers |
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Objective 2: Increase the supply of private rented accommodation available to people at risk of homelessness
Priority 1: Improve access to suitable private rented accommodation for households at risk of homelessness or experiencing homelessness
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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2.1 Continue to operate an enhanced NextStep Rent Deposit Scheme |
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2.2 Create and implement Homelessness Loan Prevention Scheme (HPLS) |
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2.3 Continue to operate the Rent Guarantor Scheme for suitable households at risk of homelessness and share good practice with other Councils |
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Objective 3: Work in partnership to minimise the impact of welfare reform on our residents and improve access to employment opportunities for people in housing need and at risk of homelessness
Priority 1: Deliver a multi-agency support service to assist residents affected by welfare reform to prevent homelessness
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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3.1 Work in partnership to minimise homelessness arising from welfare reform through the provision of on- going advice and support to affected households |
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Objective 4: Reduce the use of bed and breakfast accommodation
Priority 1: Maintain minimal usage of out-of-borough emergency accommodation
Action |
Output |
Timescale |
Lead Role |
Partners |
Resources |
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4.1 Manage RBBC’s local emergency accommodation facility to maximise occupation rates |
· Maintain a 95% occupancy rate in RBBC emergency accommodation |
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N/A |
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4.2 Place households with high support needs in local emergency accommodation |
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N/A |
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4.3 Move homeless households placed in out-of-borough EA back into the borough when availability arises |
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N/A |
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4.4 Introduce an Out-of-borough placement policy |
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onwards |
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N/A |
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