Issue - meetings

That the Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 be adopted.

Councillor Becker introduced the report noting it aimed to make homelessness a priority, focusing on early intervention, meeting complex needs, and developing sustainable housing solutions. She thanked service users and partners involved in the consultation process.  She advised that the report had also been considered by Economy and Housing Policy Committee on 16 September 2025.

Sue McKenna and John McKenna spoke during public participation as summarised briefly below.

Sue McKenna (Trinity)

She supported the strategy and the ambition for greater joined-up partnerships around health, addiction and rehabilitation to address the root causes of homelessness.  She confirmed that Trinity worked in close collaboration with both the Housing Options team outreach and the Tenancy Support team at the council.   Over the next year, Trinity aimed to complete its supported housing pathway and to provide some move on housing.

John McKenna (Emmaus)

He also supported strategy and welcomed the alignment with the Emmaus strategy.  He also welcomed future collaboration on new opportunities.

Councillor Becker thanked both for their contributions and their support.

Councillor Becker, the Strategic Director and the Service Lead – Strategic Housing then responded to questions and comments raised by councillors as summarised below:

a)    Further information was requested on the current data available on rural homelessness, noting that it was often hidden.

b)    The current status of the outreach service (including new resources), how partnership working would be enhanced, and what would be done differently to reduce rough sleeping.

c)    Whether the council worked with neighbouring urban fringe authorities (e.g., Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham) concerning rough sleepers arriving from those areas.

In response to comments made, the Service Lead – Strategic Housing confirmed Trinity had been commissioned to provide a weekend outreach service and were in discussions with Emmaus regarding a “try before you buy” option for residents apprehensive about committing to entering their accommodation.

The Cabinet Committee agreed the following for the reasons set out above and outlined in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025-2030 be adopted.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the committee review and comment on the proposals within the attached draft report, ref CAB3508(H) which is to be considered by Cabinet Committee (Housing) at its meeting on the 4 November 2025.

Karen Thorburn, Service Lead - Strategic Housing, introduced the report. The introduction included the following points:

1.    The draft Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2025-2030 set out how the council and its partners would respond to the risk of homelessness and the reality of rough sleeping.

2.    Despite national pressures, including rising housing costs and a shortage of affordable homes, the council had successfully remained in the top 25% nationally for homeless prevention activities, and the use of bed and breakfast accommodation had been kept to a minimum.

3.    The strategy was structured around four key priorities:

4.    The draft strategy was developed through engagement with stakeholders and service users and reflected a shared commitment to ensuring rough sleeping was rare, brief, and non-recurrent.

Ian Tait addressed the committee. He explained that he was often approached by individuals who were homeless or at risk of homelessness and had become involved in housing and benefit advocacy work. Mr Tait shared recent examples of individuals he had supported who, despite intervention, were now sleeping rough.

He acknowledged the complexity of the cases, which often involved addiction and mental health issues, and stressed the importance of treating each person as an individual with a high level of support. He expressed his hope that the new strategy would incorporate a genuine human touch.

The committee was asked to review and comment on the proposals within the attached draft report, ref CAB3508(H) which was to be considered by Cabinet Committee (Housing) at its meeting on the 4 November 2025.

The committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the report. In summary, the following matters were raised.

1.    Further information was sought on current homelessness trends and how these trends were projected to continue.

2.    A question was asked about whether there had been an increase in older people experiencing housing issues upon retirement.

3.    Clarification was sought on the impact of the withdrawal of Hampshire County Council funding and whether the proposed local government reorganisation would create further challenges.

4.    A question was raised regarding the council’s ability to access mental health services for its clients and whether this was an underlying issue for homelessness and rough sleeping.

5.    Clarification was requested on what analysis had been undertaken to identify key local partners, such as the Royal British Legion, who could help deliver the strategy.

6.    A question was asked about the increased spending on bed and breakfast accommodation, what measures were in place to ensure value for money, and whether the increase was partly due to the closure of West View House by the County Council.

7.    Further details were requested regarding the average length of stay in temporary accommodation (312 days), the reasons for this duration, and how this compared to national and previous local figures.

8.    A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8