RESIDENTS are invited to give their views on how Cheshire West and Chester Council should provide effective support for homeless people over the next five years.

In response to the findings of its Homelessness Review 2019, carried out in the last few months, the council has put together a Homelessness Strategy 2020-25.

The Strategy suggests a set of five key priorities along with actions to deliver these. The council would like residents to offer their opinions during a 12-week consultation, which runs until November 1.

Cllr Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Housing, Regeneration and Growth at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “The council is committed to reducing homelessness across our borough.

"A great deal of work has been done by our Housing Options team, forfutures and our partners in the faith, charity and business sectors in the last year to help people who are homeless, or who are at risk of homelessness.

"We are grateful of the support from all of the groups working with the homeless community in our borough.

“The council publishes a homelessness strategy every five years. Our latest strategy will shape how we work over the coming years to reduce homelessness.

“It is important that the strategy is effective, and with nationwide resources being limited, and the homeless population rising, it is necessary to prioritise the main issues.

"Homelessness is a community issue and one which cannot be resolved by one agency alone, I hope residents will take some time to review the strategy and contribute their thoughts so that we can work together to improve the situation of those people impacted by homelessness."

The key priorities of the new strategy are to:

  • Act faster to prevent people losing their homes by identifying problems earlier
  • Provide rough sleepers with the right accommodation and support
  • Reduce the demand for temporary accommodation by providing effective action and suitable accommodation at the point of crisis
  • Work with partners to make best use of existing resources and increase the supply of affordable accommodation
  • Share information and deliver services in a more co-ordinated way with partners.

For information and to share your views in an online survey, visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/homelessnessstrategy.

To obtain a paper copy of the survey or to share your views, email housingstrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk, telephone 0151 3566421 or write to Housing Strategy, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0BE.