Oxfordshire councils sign agreement to tackle homelessness in partnership

News19.02.2112.01 AM by Lucie Heath

Six Oxfordshire councils have agreed to work together to improve the region’s approach to homelessness along with charity Crisis.

The partnership will create a housing-led approach to tackling homelessness in Oxfordshire (picture: Getty)

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Councils in Oxfordshire have agreed to work with Crisis on a housing-led approach to tackling homelessness in the region #UKhousing

The partnership, agreed by Oxfordshire County Council and the county’s five district-level local authorities, will develop a housing-led response to tackling homelessness. This means there will be a focus on getting people into their own homes as quickly as possible and giving them the support they need to maintain the tenancy.

Consequently, the approach will aim to minimise the amount of time people spend in temporary accommodation and the number of moves they have to make before getting their permanent home.

The councils that have signed the agreement are: Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, Cherwell District Council, West Oxfordshire District Council, South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council.

The agreement accompanies the publication of a feasibility study, commissioned by homelessness charity Crisis, which found that a housing-led approach could deliver a reduction in homelessness in Oxfordshire while costing a similar amount to the current system.

Greater data sharing will be enabled between the councils to help improve measuring homelessness across Oxfordshire.

Success will also be measured on an individual basis, the councils and charity said.

A centrally held list of people experiencing homelessness will be created in order to ensure individuals do not drop off the radar as their support moves between agencies. It is hoped that this list will reduce the need for people to explain their background multiple times, thus reducing the impact of trauma and making people feel valued as individuals.

Housing-led approaches to tackling homelessness are becoming increasingly popular in the UK following the success of schemes abroad, particularly in Finland.

The government has funded Housing First pilots – a scheme which sees rough sleepers immediately offered a permanent home with tailored support – in Manchester, Liverpool and the West Midlands. A similar pilot scheme is also in operation in Scotland.

Jon Sparkes, chief executive of Crisis, said: “We are hugely encouraged by the commitment shown across Oxfordshire in preventing and ending homelessness.

“This is not a quick fix but instead a bold, long-term strategy developed with the help of people in Oxfordshire who have experienced the trauma of homelessness and those who have worked tirelessly to tackle it.

“We hope the ambition and collaboration between organisations will be recognised beyond Oxfordshire and show that homelessness is not inevitable.”

Paul Leo, director of housing at Oxford City Council and chair of the Oxfordshire Strategic Homelessness Steering Group, said: “We welcome the publication of this study, which will be instrumental in helping us to achieve our ambition of preventing homelessness across Oxfordshire, and I am delighted that all of the Oxfordshire councils have committed to work together to implement its recommendations.

“Collaboration across the county between councils, homelessness organisations, health and housing providers will be needed to ensure we can make positive long-term change towards a housing-led system that prevents and ends homelessness across Oxfordshire.”

Kate Wareing, chief executive of South Oxfordshire-based Soha Housing, said: “We all know how important a stable home is. It provides security and a foundation for rebuilding a contented life.

“Soha is pleased to see the emphasis in this feasibility study on finding permanent homes as quickly as possible for people who are homeless.

“Along with other local housing associations, we want to provide more long-term homes for anyone who needs one, including those who are homeless.

“To do this better we need the support of our councils and communities to build affordable new homes, underpinned by practical help to support settling in. We welcome the commitment of all partners to implement the recommendations set out in this report.”