The Conservative Administration’s new Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy for Bedford Borough was adopted by Full Council on 10th July 2024 with cross party support.

The new strategy which runs from 2024-2029 has been based on the most up to date housing data for the area and contains actions based on three core strands:

• Prevent homelessness as early as possible,
• Increase the supply of housing for those who are homeless, and
• Provide support to those who need it

The strategy was finalised following a rigorous process of internal and external consultation with significant feedback from local organisations alongside those with lived experience of homelessness. A key theme throughout the new strategy is to increase partnership working to help those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The new strategy commits to reducing rough sleeping and will also introduce a stand-alone domestic abuse policy for the first time.

Portfolio Holder for Housing & Regulatory Services, Councillor Phillippa Martin-Moran Commented,

“This new Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy is a solid starting point for how we tackle homelessness over the next 5 years. The feedback that was given through the consultation has been taken on board constructively and it has made the Plan stronger. I especially thank those with lived experience who shared their stories which is not always easy to do.

Tackling homelessness is something that Executive cares about deeply and which, as has been demonstrated at Full Council, is important across the Council. Partnership working in the Council and with others will be key in implementing the strategy and the new Board will be vital to that work. There is no doubt that the scale of homelessness is very challenging and clearly this seriously affects people’s lives, as well as the Council’s financial position, but as a Council there is a commitment to making a positive difference, reducing homelessness and ensuring the stability of the Council’s finances”.

During the meeting the Portfolio Holder raised the work which has been going on in the housing service over the last 13 months since the May 2023 Council election including:

• The recent purchase of 10 additional move on flats for former rough sleepers
• The new 18 bed night shelter
• The additional 22 housing staff who are helping those in need across the housing sector
• The recent 13 family homes and 1 disabled access property bought for temporary accommodation in the Borough, and a further small block of flats which is currently being done up for more temporary accommodation
• The work with the housing association to delivering affordable housing for Borough residents

Further properties have also been purchased for temporary accommodation and are currently being renovated for use.

Cllr Phillippa Martin-Moran-Bryant added: “We are accelerating all the programmes that we can to make a difference to homelessness as quickly as we can.”

Cllr Robert Rigby (Conservative, Bromham) portfolio holder for Adults seconded the report. After the meeting he said:

“This strategy builds on the innovations and improvements the Conservative Administration has already delivered in the service and I have full confidence that this strategy will further improve the service”.

The new strategy replaces the Homelessness Strategy 2016-2021 which was previously extended and reviewed due to Covid and ongoing impacts post the pandemic on housing. The previous portfolio holder’s work on housing was also recognised.

It was confirmed at the Full Council meeting that the Head of Housing, Homelessness and Customer Service would make a clarification to the text to say that the prevention action would be to “reduce the number of people rough sleeping, aiming for zero rough sleepers.”