Swale Council approves five-year plan to combat homelessness and rough sleeping
New strategy focuses on early intervention, increasing affordable housing and targeted support
Councillors in Swale have agreed on a five-year strategy aimed at tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough.
As of March 2026, there were 322 households in temporary accommodation, including 385 children, with the council spending £2.04 million on temporary housing.
The council identified three primary drivers of homelessness: private tenancies ending, relationship breakdowns, and domestic abuse, which together accounted for 75% of cases.
To address these challenges, Swale Council has developed a homelessness and rough sleeping strategy, focusing on early intervention to prevent loss of housing and improving access to affordable and quality emergency accommodation.
Key priorities
The strategy is built around four key priorities:
Early intervention: Dedicated teams will provide advice and support to resolve housing issues before eviction occurs. The council will collaborate with hospitals to ensure people are not discharged onto the streets or into unsuitable accommodation.
Good quality, affordable temporary accommodation: The council aims to limit short-term stays and ensure high standards. They have acquired 55 local properties for temporary housing, reducing reliance on costly nightly accommodation.
Access to appropriate accommodation: Working with private landlords, the council will secure affordable rental options and tackle discrimination against residents receiving benefits. Additionally, Swale Council is constructing 51 new social homes at Cockleshell Walk to boost the local housing supply.
Working to end rough sleeping: A £257,724 Government grant will fund winter accommodation and expert outreach workers. Instead of basic overnight shelters, the council will finance caseworkers to assist individuals facing health or addiction challenges, providing permanent support off the streets.
Council commitment
Cllr Hanah Perkin, chair of the housing, health and communities committee at Swale Council, emphasized the urgency of addressing the housing crisis.
"In April 2024 we declared an affordable housing emergency. Rising living costs and high rents are pushing more people into homelessness," Cllr Perkin said.
She highlighted the severe supply bottleneck, with 2,069 households waiting for just 382 available social lets at the end of the last financial year.
"This new strategy helps to shift us away from short-term fixes by investing in intensive year-round supported housing to break the cycle of homelessness completely," Cllr Perkin added.
Under the new strategy, the council aims to improve stability for local families and reduce the financial burden of increased demand for homelessness support.