Issue - meetings

The Housing Development and Enabling Manager presented a report on the Shared Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2029.

The Committee was advised that the Council had undertaken a review of all forms of homelessness over the previous six months and had been working closely with partner agencies. A consultation event had been held on the 30th September 2025 with partners and stakeholders to consider housing from both a strategic and client-based perspective. The event was attended by a range of partners from a range of statutory and voluntary organisations.

Members were informed that central Government had published a National Plan to End Homelessness in October 2025, and that the new Shared Homelessness Strategy aligned with the five pillars of that plan.

The strategy set out how the Council would invest in early intervention and support systems designed to prevent homelessness before it occurred. It aimed to strengthen cross?service collaboration to ensure that risks were identified at an early stage.

The Committee was advised that the Crisis Resilience Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments would be used to support individuals struggling with their income or facing unexpected financial pressures. Residents experiencing sudden income shocks would receive holistic advice and support.

It was noted that Government would be providing nearly £3.5 billion in funding for homelessness prevention and rough sleeping services for the period 2026/27–2028/29.

It was proposed that the Executive Committee should consider whether to approve the draft strategy for public consultation and, following the consultation and subject to any feedback, the final version would need be submitted to Council for approval at a later date.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing highlighted that the strategy would no longer be delivered on a county?wide basis, as Worcestershire had chosen not to participate in the partnership. The strategy nevertheless covered support for rough sleepers, victims of domestic violence and care leavers. The Portfolio Holder suggested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee might wish to receive a progress report once the consultation had concluded and funding had been confirmed.

Following the presentation, Members held detailed discussions and commented on the below points:

• Members welcomed the measures aimed at preventing homelessness before it occurred, emphasising that early intervention was crucial and preferable to responding in crisis situations.
• The commitment to supporting care leavers was highlighted, along with the importance of providing support for those with neurodivergence and other protected characteristics.

RESOLVED that

1) the draft Shared Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031 and action plan be approved for public consultation for six weeks starting 13th April 2026.