Rotherham councillors outline five-year strategy to tackle homelessness
The aim of the refreshed strategy has been outlined in the recent report
Councillors in Rotherham have outlined a new strategy to tackle homelessness in the borough amid a 25 per cent increase in requests for support in recent years.
As per the Homelessness Act 2002, the Council has a responsibility to review the levels of homelessness in the borough, and publish a new strategy at least once every five year.
The aim of the refreshed strategy has been outlined in the recent report, which says: “We work in partnership to prevent homelessness wherever possible, because everyone deserves a safe, affordable home. Where prevention isn’t possible, homelessness will be rare, brief, and not repeated. With the right support at the right time, people can regain stability and thrive.”
The Council consulted with local residents, and 47 per cent of respondents had lived experience of homelessness.
Four key priorities
- Preventing homelessness via proactive intervention
- Increasing the supply of suitable housing available
- Ensure support reaches those most in need
- Tackling rough sleeping through rapid response
Councillors acknowledged housing costs, the cost of living crisis, and a lack of suitable, affordable housing, all as driving factors leading to an influx of homelessness in the borough and nationwide, during a meeting held on May 6.
During the scrutiny meeting, Labour councillor Linda Beresford, of the Greasbrough ward, said: “We’ve seen over a 25 per cent increase in approaches to our homelessness team. I think as councillors you already know all about the increased housing costs, the cost of living crisis, the challenges in accessing suitable, affordable places to live. That is all resulting in a sustained increase in demand.”
The councillor highlighted the other support demands individuals require outside of housing.“Of the 4,254 people who contacted us and we owed a homeless duty to, 587 of them had two support needs, and 715 of them had three or more, so the cases are getting more complex,” she said.
These complex needs refer to mental health issues, substance dependency, domestic abuse, physical disabilities, and offending behaviours.
Working collaboratively with a multi-agency approach, the council plans to work with partners in health, social care, community safety, and the voluntary sector.
Some key achievements between 2023 and 2026 have shown significant progress in preventing homelessness, improving service, and expanding housing options for people.
- 65.4 per cent increase in successful homelessness prevention outcomes within 56 days, between 2022-23 and 2024-25.
- Progressing towards the Council’s target of 1,000 new council homes by summer 2027, with 791 delivered as of April 20, 2026.
- Expansion of temporary furnished homes from 127 to 173, reducing reliance on and cost of hotel accommodation.
- Strong employment support outcomes through the Council’s Employment Hub.
The Council Cabinet will decide in a meeting on May 11 whether to approve the five-year framework.
Cllr. Beresford said: “If this gets approved by cabinet, the next steps are to develop that detailed action plan, and that will be developed with partners, and it will be published before autumn this year.”