Camden to showcase best practice for tackling homelessness

Published by Jon Land for 24dash.com in Housing

Minister Ian Austin will be speaking at an event to showcase the work of Camden in tackling homelessness and share best practice with other local authorities.

Richard Blakeway, the Mayor’s Director of Housing, will be making the closing remarks at the conference in Covent Garden tomorrow (June 30). 

Camden, which is the only London borough to be appointed by the government as a champion to end rough sleeping, will be highlighting its excellent track record and showcasing its innovative Pathways model, launched in 2007, which enables vulnerable people to move from being dependent on the Council through to independent living.

Working in partnership with 3rd sector providers including St Mungo’s and the Salvation Army, and backed by a CLG investment of £22m in improved hostel facilities, Pathways services helped 886 homeless people move on to more independent accommodation in 2008/09.

As part of the conference, a series of workshop sessions will be run, giving housing professionals from across the country the opportunity to learn from Camden. 

Councillor Chris Naylor, Executive Member for Homes and Housing Strategy, said: “I am delighted Camden has been chosen to share the good work that we are doing to help the most vulnerable people in our borough have a roof over their heads, where they can receive support services that are tailored to their needs.

"We are working in partnership with our pathways providers to help people overcome the problems that cause or contribute to their homelessness, so that they can eventually settle into independent accommodation. 

Ian Austin, Homelessness Minister, said: “I am delighted to be speaking at this conference, which showcases the work of Camden, and more importantly allows us to share best practice.

"I am also very impressed with Camden’s pathways model which successfully helps move people from the streets and onto more independent living."