A new strategy that aims to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping in Carlisle has taken an important step forward.
Carlisle City Council’s executive has approved the draft document and it will now go to full council for adoption on Tuesday March 2.
The Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2021 – 2026 sets out how the council and partners can continue to work together to reduce homelessness and provide those that are homeless with affordable and sustainable housing solutions.
Carlisle City Council is required to publish a strategy and action plan which clearly outlines to Council, residents, partners, staff, customers and peers; the council’s priority objectives, approach and commitment to homelessness and rough sleeping prevention and reduction for the coming years.
Councillor Paul Nedved, portfolio holder for economy, enterprise and housing, said: “Our existing homelessness strategy 2015-2020 shifted the approach from dealing with the effects of homelessness, to a preventative approach in tackling the main causes of and reducing homelessness in the district.
“As part of the development of the new strategy, we undertook a comprehensive review of homelessness, including a public and partner consultation.
“We’d like to thank all those who helped develop the strategy and action plan. It’ll help us to continue to tackle this important issue and work in partnership to help those that need it.”
As part of the development of the strategy, the portfolio holder for communities, health and wellbeing, Coun Elizabeth Mallinson and Armed Forces Champion, asked that key data trends relating to the following groups be highlighted:
- Care Leavers
In 2019/20, five per cent of homeless presentations in Carlisle were care leavers, which is higher than the national average of two per cent.
- People leaving the armed forces
In 2019/20, one per cent of homeless presentations in Carlisle were leaving the forces, consistent with the national average.
- Domestic abuse
In 2019/20, 12 per cent of all homeless presentations in Carlisle were as a result of domestic abuse, higher than the national average of nine per cent.
Coun Mallinson said: “Domestic abuse is one of many issues addressed in the strategy.
“It’s a very important now, particularly as we’re going through a third lockdown.
“Domestic violence is on the rise nationally and we urge those suffering to get help.”
Between 2019 and 2020, 12 per cent of those seeking help from the council were doing so as a result of domestic abuse, compared to a national average of nine per cent.
From 2015 to 2020, 514 victims of domestic abuse and their children at direct risk of homelessness were given support by the council.
The strategy’s action plan sets how this issue, and others, should be tackled. The draft action plan will be reviewed annually.
Overall, homelessness in Carlisle reduced by six per cent between 2015 and 2020, and across the year 2019 to 2020, 55 per cent of all cases were helped at the “prevention” stage, higher than the national average.
Between 2015 and 2020, across the Carlisle district, interventions by the council have led to 2,212 households escaping homelessness.
A total of 1,048 households were provided emergency accommodation, 18 per cent of which had dependent children.
