Homelessness prevention is improving, says council

A council has given an insight into how it handled housing people and insisted there were signs of improvement after a challenging year.

Peterborough City Council's success rate at homelessness prevention declined for four consecutive quarters in the last financial year, according to a recent corporate performance report.

Its housing team members have discussed homelessness, how the housing register works and the importance of early prevention with the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Alison Jones, Labour cabinet member for housing and communities, said there had been changes in the housing team and the emphasis had switched from "being reactive" to "more preventative".

There are 2,832 applicants on the council's housing register with most facing a wait of several years for a home.

That figure is up from 2,780 in September.

Applicants are placed into a three-band system, with band one receiving the highest priority.

Matt Oliver, head of housing needs at the council, said: "We're starting by prioritising and focusing on the most vulnerable households."

Jacqui Harvey, head of environmental health, licensing and trading standards, pointed out that being on the housing register was not the same as being homeless or at risk of losing a home.

She said half the people on the register were living in "safe, suitable accommodation, but would like to live in cheaper or more affordable accommodation".

If somebody is homeless or being threatened with homelessness, they can get advice from the council and told if they are eligible for help.

The council said positive figures were coming through and that prevention work should soon bring improvements.

A council partnership with Cross Keys Homes pledged 1,250 affordable homes between 2023 and 2028.

The authority said 1,278 affordable homes had already built since 2023.

Peterborough has 175 properties that have been vacant for over two years, and the council said efforts were ongoing to reuse them.

In the past year, 813 properties empty for six months or more came back into use.

The council's housing team aims to help individuals and families avoid homelessness and rough sleeping, offering support and information through the Housing Jigsaw portal and by phone.

A team is dedicated to working with rough sleepers and support individuals into accommodation.

Jones said: "The work that has gone on in the housing team and the changes within the structure and the service that's offered has just been awesome."

Mr Oliver added: "The earlier we know about your housing risk and homelessness, the more we can do in the period of time we've got to sort that situation out."

"We're starting with the temporary accommodation, with the bed and breakfasts, and bringing that down.

"And the next thing will be more of that prevention and more supply through affordable homes."

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