Prevention measure to be made priority

Councils’ homelessness prevention schemes are to come under
closer scrutiny, the government has signalled.

In its response to a recommendation in the Office of the Deputy
Prime Minister select committee’s report on homelessness, the
government stated that an indicator to measure the operation of
prevention schemes would be considered “at the first available
opportunity”.

The government is already introducing an indicator this April to
monitor housing advice services’ success in preventing
homelessness.

The ODPM also published its homelessness strategy this week, which
highlights estimated savings of around £29m by 177 councils –
an average of £163,000 per council – as a result of prevention
initiatives.

The strategy includes plans to improve prevention work, including
helping councils “promote better use” of Supporting People
funds.

It also proposes measures to integrate local authority homelessness
strategies with the Every Child Matters agenda and the development
of children’s trusts.

• Sustainable Communities: Settled Homes; Changing Lives from www.odpm.gov.uk/homelessness