Council seeks views on five year homelessness plan

A month-long consultation to help finalise Stoke-on-Trent City Council's homelessness and rough sleeping strategy over the next five years has been launched.

The council said the final consultation will gather residents' views on whether they think the plan's priorities are the right ones to focus on.

It will run for four weeks until 27 April via the council website.

Councillor Chris Robinson said homelessness is a "complex issue" but the council are committed in ensuring "everyone has a decent place to call home".

The homelessness and rough sleeping strategy 2025-2030 sets out how the council will prevent, intervene in and reduce homelessness.

It is being developed on the back of a homelessness and rough sleeping review, which was carried out by the council in 2024.

The review found the most common reasons people lose their accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent are that family and friends are no longer willing to accommodate and the loss of a private-rented tenancy.

It also noted the number of homelessness enquiries received by the council in 2024 increased by 16 per cent over the previous five years.

Mr Robinson said homelessness has been "exacerbated" over the last few years due to the cost of living crisis and housing pressures.

"Locally, there are simply not enough affordable homes available to those on the lowest incomes," he added.

"This will build on all the work we are already doing to ensure our city is a healthier, safer and fairer city for all."

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