Hampshire County Council is opening a public consultation on proposed changes to the support provided for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Views are being sought on proposals for moving away from providing support for those with less critical needs, and focusing support on the most vulnerable – which would include 24/7 supported accommodation to meet the needs of people who are sleeping rough, or at risk of sleeping rough.
The County Council’s Homelessness Support services currently comprise hostels and other supported accommodation, as well as community support services. These services complement the support provided by district and borough councils who have a statutory duty to ‘prevent and relieve’ homelessness.
Councillor Liz Fairhurst, Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health, said “As a consequence of the ongoing and significant financial pressures within adult social care and the growing demand for services, we are having to consider carefully how we spend the limited funding available to us, to ensure it goes to where it is most needed.”
“We recognise how vital the right support is for those who find themselves homeless, or at risk of being so, and we have spoken to a range of organisations, including district and borough councils, to help us to find solutions on how best to provide support going forward within a reduced budget.”
The proposals set out options for potential savings of £1.8 million, and include a continued spend of £2.4 million on homelessness support to help those most in need. Those with less critical needs would be helped to access other sources of information, advice and assistance.
The public consultation opened on Friday, 15th June and close on Friday, 10th August 2018.
The consultation will be published here: www.hants.gov.uk/aboutthecouncil/haveyoursay/consultations
Final proposals relating to future arrangements for County Council funded homeless support will be presented to the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Health for a decision in December.
