Issue - decisions
Homeless Prevention Strategy 2024-2027
13/03/2025 - Homeless Prevention Strategy 2025-2028
The purpose of the item was to present a new Preventing Homelessness Strategy to support the Council’s statutory duties towards those households facing homelessness.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, introduced the proposal, stating this was a new strategy to tackle homelessness at its root and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation. Councillor Saul stated that at the time of the meeting rough sleeping in West Oxfordshire was recorded as at zero, however just one-person rough sleeping was too many. The strategy intended to step in early with the right support and offer stable housing to tackle the issue. It was proposed that this would lead to a stronger more sustainable community. The strategy also aligned with the Council’s statutory duties in this area. In 2023/24 over 250 people were prevented from becoming homeless, with 95 households going into emergency accommodation. The Strategy looked to expand housing options to offer long term stable solutions.
In discussing the item, other members of the Executive thanked officers and Cllr Saul for their work on the strategy and said that it would help tackle the issues faced by residents at risk of homelessness.
Councillor Geoff Saul, Executive Member for Housing and Social Care, proposed accepting the recommendations of the report.
Councillor Alaric Smith, Executive Member for Finance, seconded the recommendations.
RESOLVED:
That the Executive:
1. Approve the implementation of the Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2025-2028.