Issue - meetings

Purpose of Report

To consider the Lincolnshire Homelessness Strategy 2017-2021 review document, together with the consultation summary document and to seek approval for the new Lincolnshire Homelessness Strategy 2022-2027.

Decision

1.    That the Lincolnshire Homelessness Strategy 2022-2027 be approved.

2.    That officers provide an update report on the current position in relation to rough-sleepers in the City of Lincoln.

Alternative Options Considered

To develop a City of Lincoln Homelessness Strategy. Whilst City of Lincoln Council would adopt its own individual homelessness action plan, which would take additional time to develop, there was an established and effective partnership in place in the Lincolnshire Homelessness Strategy with positive outcomes achieved to date.

Reasons for the Decision

The Homelessness Act 2002 required all Local Authorities to carry out a review of homelessness in their areas, formulate and publish a strategybased onthe findingsof thisreview, keepthe strategyunder review and consult with other local or public authorities and voluntary organisations before modifying or adopting a strategy.

An extensive consultation with stakeholders (attached at Appendix 3 of the officer’s report) collated the achievements of the last strategy and shaped the strategic direction of this document.A series of focus groups, one-to-one meetingsand asurvey collatedvital feedback,which wouldenable this strategy to meet the aims of not only the seven district councils but our partners.

The Rough Sleeper Strategy had been incorporated into this document, to allow us to form a collective and robust approach to homelessness,as opposed to having a separate document.

This strategy informed of the current position and challenges for homelessnessacross theCounty, setout thepriorities andactions that together aimed to prevent homelessness and reduce rough sleeping across the County.