Purpose

To seek Executive approval for the Draft Fareham Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-31 to go forward for a period of public consultation.  

The Homelessness Act 2002 places a statutory requirement on local housing authorities to undertake a review of homelessness within their district and publish a Homelessness Strategy based on the findings of that review.  The Strategy must set out how the authority will prevent homelessness, secure sufficient accommodation for those who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, and ensure appropriate support is available.

The proposed Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031 provides Fareham Borough Council’s strategic framework for preventing homelessness, reducing rough sleeping and improving housing outcomes over the next five years.  It has been informed by local homelessness data, service performance, partner engagement, national policy developments and the findings of the Council’s homelessness review.

The accompanying Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Plan is a requirement set out by MHCLG and sets out the specific actions, measures and outcomes that will deliver the Strategy’s objectives.  The Action Plan establishes local outcome targets aligned to the Government’s emerging homelessness and rough sleeping outcomes framework and will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains responsive to local need and legislative change.

The Strategy replaces Fareham Borough Council’s previous Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-2025.  Whilst the previous Strategy focused on four broad priorities of meeting demand, providing solutions, preventing homelessness and supporting tenancies, and ending rough sleeping, the new Strategy adopts a more outcome-focused approach with measurable targets, stronger alignment with national policy, greater emphasis on prevention through early intervention, and a renewed focus on sustainable housing solutions and reducing repeat homelessness.   

Decision

RESOLVED that the Executive:

(a)  approves the draft Fareham Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to move forward for a period of public consultation; and

(b)  agrees that any minor changes to the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy prior to public consultation are delegated to the Director of Housing and Health following consultation with the Executive Member for Housing.