Addressing housing need and tackling homelessness in County Durham

Those are just some of the actions we are to take through two new strategies we have developed to address housing needs, and tackle and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping.

The County Durham Housing Strategy (CDHS), and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (HRSS) are both now adopted, following their approval by our Cabinet.

Cllr James Rowlandson, our portfolio holder for resources, investment and assets, said: "We're really pleased to have adopted these two important strategies.

"The Housing Strategy recognises that access to good quality, well-maintained, warm, secure and safe housing is good for people's health and wellbeing and quality of life, and that it can support them into work and in doing so, bring about economic growth.

"It seeks to give people this access by delivering more affordable housing across the county, as well as a higher quality and standard of properties, and by bringing empty properties back into use."

Tackling the causes and focusing on prevention and early intervention

Cllr Alan Shield, our Cabinet member for equality and inclusion, added: "The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy recognises that homelessness can affect people's physical and mental health and wellbeing, educational achievement, ability to gain and sustain employment and puts pressure on personal and family relationships.

"It sets out our vision, priorities and actions to address and prevent homelessness and rough sleeping across County Durham, including by tackling the causes and by focusing on prevention and early intervention."

The two strategies replace existing versions. The CDHS will be in place until 2035 while the HRSS will cover the five years from now to 2029.

The HRSS was prepared following a detailed review of homelessness and rough sleeping, and each draft strategy was subject to two rounds of consultation.

The CDHS sets out a vision for activity in County Durham to provide good quality housing that meets everyone's needs; is affordable for local people; and supports the creation of great places to live.

The HRSS sets out four priorities to tackle homelessness: prevent people from becoming homeless; improve access to and supply of accommodation; ensure the appropriate support is available for people who are homeless; and reduce rough sleeping.

Cabinet also approved 12 month delivery plans alongside each strategy.

The action plan for the CDHS includes:

• Delivering our programme to provide new build affordable houses to meet needs;
• Preparing a 'pipeline' of potential development sites for when funding opportunities become available;
• Reviewing our current allocations and lettings policy to ensure it meets the needs of customers;
• Delivering our Supported Housing Improvement Programme to ensure providers are fit for purpose;
• Preparing a temporary accommodation placement strategy to provide suitable accommodation for those in need and reduce costs;
• Preparing guidance on keeping houses free from damp and mould;
• Delivering our Disabled Facilities Grants to enable people to stay in their own homes;
• Developing and implementing a programme of targeted delivery plans to support housing regeneration;
• Exploring ways to improve engagement with communities including students and tenants, in relation to how they access services among other things.

The plan for the HRSS includes a range of new actions, such as:

• Introducing specialist officers within our housing solutions team; including drug and alcohol support workers, social workers and trauma informed specialists;
• Utilising the new build programme to provide affordable homes;
• Increasing the supply of temporary accommodation we own and commission, reducing the reliance on B&B and hotels;
• Co-ordinating all existing support pathways and services;
• Developing a housing first model for rough sleepers.