Bedford Borough Council is pleased to announce the release of its Draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2024 – 2029 for public consultation.
This comprehensive document outlines the Council's vision and action plan aimed at addressing homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough through to 2029.
This strategy comes at a crucial period in time. A national shortage of housing supply to meet demand is placing increased pressure on homelessness services, whilst at the same time, the Covid-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis have impacted on many households’ circumstances leaving them vulnerable to homelessness.
The draft strategy centres on preventing homelessness and addressing the supply of accommodation, along with providing support.
Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Regulatory Services and Housing, said: “This important consultation will help us define the areas we intend to prioritise in our efforts. Your input on our proposed priorities is pivotal, as it allows us to gauge community perspectives. There will also be focus groups held for those who are currently homeless.”
“We hope our strategy will build on the innovations already delivered by the council, strong partnership working across the statutory and voluntary sectors and a service which is already delivering good outcomes for many customers.”
The draft strategy is available to view now on the consultations page of Bedford Borough Council’s website. Paper copies are available to view at the Council’s Customer Service Centre in Horne Lane by appointment which can be made by telephoning 01234 718068. During the consultation period, paper copies can also be found at the local libraries for viewing and questionnaires will also be available for completion for those wishing to make comments on the draft strategy.
The consultation period is open from 5 February until 15 March 2024. Whilst consultation comments will be published, no personal details of individual respondents will be disclosed.