Tackling homelessness in Exeter and Teignbridge
People are being asked to comment on a raft of initiatives that have been put forward to tackle homelessness in Teignbridge and Exeter.
Teignbridge and Exeter have drawn up a joint, draft Homelessness Strategy and are seeking the views of residents. The consultation period runs for six weeks from 12 February to 25 March 2016.
You can see the strategy on our website and fill in a brief survey at: www.teignbridge.gov.uk/liveconsultations
In Exeter this is a separate consultation to the current ongoing consultation on the Public Spaces Protection Order.
Housing and voluntary organisations have the opportunity to attend a consultation event on Thursday 25 February at the Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot where they can find out more and make contributions to the strategy. It starts at 9.30am and finishes at noon.
Cllr Humphrey Clemens, Teignbridge District Council’s Executive spokesman for housing and planning, said: “Teignbridge has carried out a lot of good work in reducing homelessness, including opening Albany House, a centre for people in housing crisis, but there is still more to do.
“We want to increase access to good, safe and affordable accommodation; end the use of bed and breakfast for families and young people and bring rough sleeping to an end.
“This new strategy builds on the positive work we have in place and looks to meet our challenges. These range from how people access advice, continuing to help the most vulnerable and bringing together all the right partners to help people at risk of homelessness more quickly and effectively.”
Cllr Emma Morse, Exeter City’s Council’s Lead Councillor for Customer Access, said: “As part of the Strategy we are committed to bring rough sleeping to an end. We are determined to help those without a roof over their head to turn their lives around.”
Much of the focus of the strategy is the importance of working together with wider statutory and voluntary organisations to address homelessness. Among the initiatives within the strategy are the following:
• Launch a referral service for private landlords to help save private rented tenancies when things start to go wrong
• Develop alternatives to bed & breakfast in an emergency for families and young people
• Consider the design of accommodation options for rough sleepers to provide options for those unable to access current provision
• Review the impact of 'Safe Sleep' winter provision and determine whether a night shelter model is a viable option in the local area to provide emergency accommodation
• Improve awareness and quality of leaflets and guides about homelessness and how to get help
• Pilot a 'Housing First' model of accommodation for entrenched rough sleepers to provide options for those who fail existing services
• Trail the provision of services outside of the council offices where clients are more likely to engage
People can see the strategy on the councils’ websites, where you can have your say:
Teignbridge Council
www.teignbridge.gov.uk/consultation
Exeter City Council
www.exeter.gov.uk/consultation
