Joint strategy to tackle homelessness in West Kent launched

Published by Jane Clee for Sevenoaks District Council in Housing and also in Communities, Local Government

Three Kent councils have joined forces to launch a new strategy aimed at tackling homelessness in West Kent.

Sevenoaks District Council, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council launched the strategy, known as the Joint Homelessness Strategy – Towards 2010, at a special event in Pembury on 4 February 2008.

The three councils pooled their skills and experience to develop the strategy after engaging with and listening to feedback from local housing associations and statutory and voluntary sector organisations.

They also worked with a number of homeless people to learn more about the issues surrounding homelessness and how to prevent it.

The strategy highlights lone parents, young people (particularly 16 and 17-year-olds), victims of domestic abuse and people with mental health issues as the groups of people most at risk of homelessness and lists family breakdown, the end of a shorthold tenancy and domestic violence as the three most common causes of homelessness.

Four key priorities have been identified:
1.    Providing better housing advice and being proactive to avoid homelessness.
2.    Helping people to find suitable accommodation with support if required.
3.    Making private rented accommodation more accessible.
4.    Working with partnership organisations more effectively.

Having agreed the strategy towards the end of last year, the three authorities invited representatives from key stakeholder groups including housing associations, The Bridge Trust, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Kent County Council Adult Services, Kent Police and Kent Probation Service to attend the official launch and discuss how to move the strategy forward.

Carolyn McVittie, General Manager at Kent Community Housing Trust, kicked off the event by talking about the homelessness issues that affect young people and how mediation can help.

Robin Cahill, West Kent Monitoring and Review Officer, Kent Supporting People Team, followed with a speech on how Supporting People, particularly through floating support and supported housing schemes, can help prevent homelessness.

The event was rounded off with some group discussions on the role and membership of the Homelessness Strategy Stakeholders Group and how to ensure effective communications between all the local agencies working to prevent homelessness.

Councillor Carol Clark, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet Member for Balanced Communities, said: "Acting proactively, by providing timely and appropriate advice, is key to preventing homelessness.

“Working in partnership with our neighbouring councils and the relevant agencies ensures that the appropriate support and accommodation is provided for those who do find themselves homeless."

Councillor Jill Anderson, Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Common problems can benefit from common solutions and I am confident that by identifying and sharing best practice we can improve services for some of the most vulnerable people in our local communities.”

Councillor Catherine Mayhew, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Access at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, said: “Homelessness is a problem throughout West Kent and this partnership builds on the good work that has already been undertaken by each individual council in tackling it.

“By working together we are confident we can make even greater progress in alleviating the homelessness that is in our midst.”

The strategy is available online at www.sevenoaks.gov.uk/housing or by calling 01732 227 000.