Evidence base for preventing homelessness and rough sleeping strategy

This evidence base has highlighted some key challenges to be taken forward and addressed in the new strategy. These include:

• The number of people, particularly young people, being asked to leave by family and friends. Many of these have never held a tenancy in their own right
• The number of households with debt and financial challenges affecting their ability to pay their current rent
• The number of households threatened with homelessness when their private sector tenancy is ended
• The number of people threatened with homelessness as a result of a relationship breakdown, many involving domestic abuse
• Encouraging those threatened with homelessness to make early contact with the service in order to resolve the situation and prevent homelessness
• Increasing the proportion of households where homelessness can be prevented either by retaining the existing tenancy or making a planned move
• Virtually eliminating rough sleeping
• Continuing to manage temporary accommodation tightly; minimise the use of B&B type accommodation; and ensure move-on from temporary accommodation at the earliest possible opportunity to affordable, sustainable, settled accommodation
• Ensuring appropriate support is available for vulnerable households, with a particular focus on mental health need