Dorset boosts homelessness support in key areas
New strategy focuses on early intervention and prevention
Dorset Council is set to launch its new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy later this year, with a strong focus on prevention and early intervention.
The strategy aims to enhance homelessness support by using data to identify households at risk and building on existing prevention work.
Recent initiatives by Dorset Council include the introduction of five affordable homes at Hardy House, Portland, for residents at risk of homelessness.
The council has also opened a supported living scheme in collaboration with the Salvation Army for 18-25-year-olds at West Farm, providing a safe environment and skill development opportunities.
In association with The Bus Shelter Project, Dorset Council has introduced five multicoloured modular flats for former rough sleepers to encourage independent living.
Furthermore, The Haven, a new supported accommodation service for vulnerable women, now offers a six-bed housing scheme with 24/7 onsite support from an all-female staff.
Dorset Council's Tenancy Sustainment Service continues to evolve, now incorporating additional health, wellbeing, and employment support offerings.
Though the strategy's public consultation is yet to commence, Dorset Council maintains that their homelessness prevention performance surpasses the national average.
Councillor Gill Taylor, Cabinet portfolio lead for Housing and Homelessness, said the recent Government’s National Plan to End Homelessness had introduced a stronger national emphasis on prevention and local accountability with the council expect to move from reactive crisis responses towards a prevention led model.
Cllr Taylor said she is keen for the development of the new strategy to be as wide as possible: “We will explore the use of Community Conversations with our partners as well as seeking the views of rural communities as well as the traditional pressure areas to the south of the county.
“We also want to build on the excellent relationships we have with our voluntary sector partners who currently give invaluable rough sleeping support, providing opportunities to help people deal with their current crisis and assist in the development of skills and knowledge to get people back on their feet.”