Councils are delivering homelessness strategies that seek to respond to local conditions.
Key messages
We would like to work with the Government and our full range of partners to explore how public service reforms can better support councils and their partners in tackling homelessness locally.
Drivers of homelessness are often personal to the individual. However, there are a number of structural factors that make it more likely, particularly trends in the housing market and labour market, and the capacity of the welfare system to mediate the impact of these trends on individuals.
Councils are delivering homelessness strategies that seek to respond to local conditions. Local approaches led by councils are best placed to succeed in reducing homelessness, as they are able to shape housing markets and target the delivery of services to prevent and respond to homelessness.
Local government is keen to discuss reforms that will better help councils tackle homelessness across all groups, by giving them the tools to deliver change, and the support of a wide range of public services helping deliver a coherent local strategy.
Given the significant financial challenge for councils, and the likely impact of housing and welfare reforms, it is absolutely crucial that any new or extended duty on local government must be fully funded.