A package of measures has been agreed to improve support for local people who are homeless, sleeping rough, or at risk of losing their home.
At a meeting of Ealing Council’s cabinet on 7 October, plans were agreed that focused on 3 areas:
- making sure the most vulnerable households are prioritised for temporary accommodation
- improving the temporary homes available to families in need of them
- setting a long-term plan to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping
Council leader Peter Mason said: “A safe and secure home is the foundation for a healthy, happy life. These decisions will help more residents get the support they need when they face homelessness, while also ensuring we use our resources in the fairest possible way.
“Everyone deserves a decent place to call home. By improving temporary accommodation, supporting people at the earliest possible stage, and setting out a clear plan for the next 5 years, we are making sure support is there for those who need it most.”
#1 Prioritising the most vulnerable
A new placement policy aims to make it fairer and simpler when deciding who is offered a home first – either in temporary accommodation or in privately rented housing.
It breaks it down into 3 easy-to-understand priority ‘zones’, which aim to make sure accommodation is allocated in a fair, transparent, and consistent way.
The zones recognise that some households need to remain close to essential services and support networks, while also enabling the council to make the best use of the temporary accommodation available.
Those with specialist needs in terms of medical or social care, or education, will be prioritised for homes in the borough. And others, including families with children or care leavers, will be prioritised for accommodation within a certain distance of the borough.
But every placement will continue to take account of a household’s individual circumstances.
#2 Better temporary homes for homeless families
The council has also agreed a new 2-year lease for The Barn Hotel in Ruislip, which is used as emergency ‘stepping stone’ temporary accommodation for homeless local families.
The arrangement will help the council reduce its reliance on unsuitable, expensive bed and breakfast accommodation, while providing the families with a more stable environment as they work towards securing longer-term housing.
The Barn Hotel offers dedicated temporary accommodation with on-site management, cooking facilities, and laundry facilities. As part of the new lease, rooms are being changed to create larger family spaces and better food preparation areas, helping families live more comfortably during their stay.
The council is continuing to develop the support services available at the site, helping families access advice, practical support, and opportunities to move into more settled accommodation.
Over the past 2 years, the council has sharply reduced the number of families living in bed and breakfasts, and this new lease will help continue that progress.
#3 Making rough sleeping ‘rare, brief, and non-recurring’
The council has also agreed a new homelessness and rough sleeping strategy, which sets out the council’s ideas for the next 5 years. It sets out an aim of making homelessness and rough sleeping rare, brief, and non-recurring.
It focuses on preventing homelessness before it happens, helping people move quickly into settled homes, improving experiences for households living in temporary accommodation, and supporting people to rebuild their lives and maintain independence.
Several measures are set out to help achieve this, including:
- improving access to housing advice and homelessness prevention services
- strengthening support for people at greatest risk of homelessness
- preventing rough sleeping through early intervention and outreach support
- increasing the supply of good temporary accommodation
- improving pathways into longer-term housing for people moving on from rough sleeping
- working with partners to tackle the underlying causes of homelessness
Before it is finalised, a consultation on the new strategy will take place in the coming weeks. Watch this space for news.
‘Taking action at every stage’
Councillor Louise Brett, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said: “A decent home gives people the firm foundation they need for good health, wellbeing, and a brighter future. When someone loses their home, or is at risk of homelessness, it can affect every part of their life.
“That is why we are taking action at every stage of the process. We are working to prevent homelessness wherever possible, improving temporary homes for families who need them, and making sure help is focused on those facing the greatest challenges.
“We are also investing in the support people need to maintain their housing, recover from homelessness, and move into secure, long-term homes. By strengthening prevention, outreach, and move-on pathways, we can make rough sleeping rare, brief, and non-recurring.”
How you can help
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, let Street Link know.
Want to donate to a local charity which supports the homeless? There are three in the borough:
- Hope for Southall Street Homeless – to find out how to support it, you can visit its website
- Acton Homeless Concern – find out more on its website
- Ealing Churches Winter Night Shelter – you can donate on its website
If you need support
If you are homeless or at risk of homelessness, you can apply for help from Ealing Council. Applications are monitored weekdays from 9am to 4:30pm, excluding bank holidays. If you make an application, a team member will be in contact with you within two working days.
If you need to speak to someone directly, please call 020 8825 8888 or email HomelessnessAdvice@ealing.gov.uk
