A local housing authority’s duties, with regard to homelessness, are laid down in part 7 of the Housing Act 1996, as amended by the Homelessness Act 2002. The 2002 Act extended the priority need categories in order to strengthen the safety net for vulnerable people, including homeless 16 and 17 year olds; care leavers aged 18-20; people who are vulnerable as a result of time spent in care, the armed forces, prison or custody; and people who are vulnerable because they have fled their home due to violence. The Homelessness Act 2002 also requires local housing authorities to publish a homelessness strategy, which must be renewed at least every five years. This is the second homelessness strategy that Eden district has published – the first was a county wide collaboration, covering the period 2003-2008. The new Homelessness Strategy 2008-11 is based on a review of the district’s action plan from the previous strategy. This has identified gaps which are picked up in the revised action plan on pages 9-20 of the strategy document.
This strategy seeks to further develop and enhance existing services, as well as to introduce new initiatives in response to local needs.
There is a continued need for joint working between housing authorities, Cumbria Supporting People, social services and other statutory, voluntary and private sector partners in tackling homelessness more effectively. Multi-agency working is therefore a theme throughout the strategy and the District will continue to work in partnership to develop services and provide solutions to identified housing and support needs.
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