Derby’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, is ambitious. As a proud City, we do not find it acceptable that so many people find themselves homeless or at risk of homelessness; nor do we find it acceptable that we have a small number of people still rough sleeping in the City.
Our strategy focuses on three key elements aimed at reducing homelessness in Derby; Prevention, Supply, and Support.
Partnership working in the homelessness sector is strong in Derby. We are very grateful for the critical role our partners have played in helping us to develop this strategy and the role they continue to play in helping us to meet the needs of people in housing difficulty.
Derby Homes, who deliver the statutory homeless function on behalf of Derby City Council, handled 32,000 calls throughout 2019 from people who needed help with homelessness and housing. Of these, over 2300 people made homeless applications. Two thirds of those approached us in crisis and were seen the same day. We were able to successfully prevent or relieve homelessness for over 1200 of those people. Most of the remaining households were made an offer of housing or were able to make their own arrangements. We continue to work tirelessly to support those that find themselves homeless or threatened with homelessness.
In addition, the work we have being doing to provide pathways into housing for those finding themselves ‘roofless’ has led to a significant reduction in those sleeping rough in the City. Our latest rough sleeping estimate in November 2019 was 14, down from 34 in 2017.
Homelessness is not only about those visible on the streets. Many more people are supported to prevent or relieve their homelessness through this strategy. It is about preventing homelessness where possible, increasing the supply of suitable affordable accommodation and it’s about the support that some people need to live independently. Our strategy therefore adopts three ‘priority themes’, supported by a partnership action plan to tackle homelessness: Prevention, Supply and Support.
The launch is the perfect opportunity to talk to us about our vision, our objectives and how we are working to support citizens of Derby to obtain and maintain a home, with an opportunity to talk to people who have lived experience of the support available.
Councillor Roy Webb, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Housing at Derby City Council, said:
At the Council and across our partner organisations, we are committed to preventing homelessness and offering support, advice and guidance for those who are facing difficulties with housing. Our new Homeless Strategy has been developed after careful consideration and discussion to ensure it not only combats homelessness but acts as an education on what being homeless means by tackling common misconceptions.