Agenda item

Shared Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2031

Minutes:

The Housing Development & Strategy Manager presented the Shared Homelessness Strategy and Action Plan 2026-2031 for Members’ consideration.

 

In doing so the following was highlighted:

 

·       The Homelessness Act 2002 required all housing authorities to have a homelessness strategy in place which was based on a review of all forms of homelessness in their local authority area.

·       It was intended that this Strategy would sit under the existing Worcestershire Strategic Housing Board Plan.

·       In developing the Strategy, a comprehensive assessment of the nature and extent of homelessness across the local authority areas was carried out. This included engaging those who had a lived experience of homelessness, rough sleeping and domestic abuse. A consultation event was held on 30th September 2025 with partners and stakeholders, to consider housing from both a strategic and client-based perspective. This event included partners from a variety of statutory and voluntary organisations. Going forward the approach to homelessness and rough sleeping would move from crisis to prevention.

·       The new Shared Homelessness Strategy, in partnership with Redditch Borough Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council, built on the success of the Council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-25, which emphasised prevention, intervention, recovery and joined-up systems, which were core themes echoed in the new National Plan. Members were informed that Worcester City Council were not involved in this Strategy and had decided to implement a separate strategy designed to address the specific homelessness and rough sleeping situation experienced in Worcester City area. The local authorities aimed to eliminate unlawful use of Bed and Breakfast facilities for families (beyond statutory short stays) and improve the quality of temporary accommodation and aimed to halve long-term rough sleeping.

·       Local authorities were expected to tackle the structural causes of homelessness by building more affordable and social homes and support the reform of the private rented sector by working with landlords and tenants to help them to sustain their accommodation where possible.

·       The new Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant would provide funding to develop services to support the strategy. Members had previously considered a report which had provided detail on spending priorities for the next three years. Members queried the allocation for this grant. It was explained that the funding was allocated as follows:

 

-        Total allocation over three years - £1,636,130

o   Homelessness and Rough Sleeping allocation – £1,474,308

o   Domestic Abuse Grant allocation - £111,315

o   Renters’ Rights Act allocation - £50,497

 
Members thanked Officers for the comprehensive report on such an important matter. It was noted that there was a typographical error contained within the report at paragraph 2.6. It was confirmed that the Councils involved in this Strategy were confirmed as Redditch Borough Council, Malvern Hills District Council, Wychavon District Council and Wyre Forest District Council.

 

Members noted that homelessness was a statutory duty for the Council, and the Strategy must be agreed, once the consultation had taken place, in order for the Council to continue to be compliant.

 

It was queried why Worcester City Council had opted out of this Strategy. Officers explained that the needs within the Worcester City area were specific, with greater numbers of homelessness and rough sleepers experienced. Worcester City Council required a more bespoke strategy that met specific needs. However, it was noted by Members that a collaborative approach would have been positive in order for Councils across Worcestershire to share experiences in terms of homelessness and rough sleeping.

 

In terms of the Action Plan contained within the Strategy there was a large number of actions that needed to be undertaken. Members queried how would this be implemented and how would the success of the implementation be measured? It was noted that a local action plan would be produced which would help to assess the more specific actions and outcomes for Bromsgrove.

 

Members were interested as to whether there would be an impact as a result of the new Renters’ Rights Act legislation. Officers explained that there may have been more landlords exiting the market and serving Section 21 No Fault Eviction Notices prior to the implementation of the  Renters’ Rights Act but once in force the only way to end a tenancy would be through breaching the tenancy agreement for example rent arrears and anti-social behaviour or because the landlord wanted to sell or move into the property. This gave housing options services an opportunity to work with landlords to try, wherever possible to sustain the tenancy and avoid the household being made homeless. If a landlord did decide to sell the property there would be time limits on when a rental property could be let again following its removal from the rental market. Landlords would need to provide an information sheet produced by the Government to their tenants to confirm the changes to their rights. There was some concern on how much awareness landlords had in terms of the details within the new legislation.

 





RESOLVED that
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.

Supporting documents: