Prevention is better than cure for homelessness say Wiltshire Council

Councillor Phil Alford has told us of their success with homelessness

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 27th Sep 2023

Wiltshire Council say that progress is being made in reducing homelessness in Wiltshire.

We've been finding out how the Council supports the homeless after the Kerslake Group of experts claimed earlier this week that the Government is set to miss targets to end homelessness by the end of the current Government.

Cabinet Member for Housing, Phil Alford, has told us that the aim in Wiltshire is to tackle the root of the issue behind a person or household ending up without a home.

"It's such a complex and significant issue," Cllr Alford said, adding the term 'homelessness' is a wide umbrella term.

Success despite rising cases

He said 'significant progress' had been made despite 'very difficult conditions'

"We've seen this big increase in homelessness, largely driven by landlords leaving the market, the cost of living has made rents very difficult for people.

"And also we've we've seen an increase in domestic abuse as well, which is is driving some of it."

Government statistics showed that in the first quarter of 2023 (January-March) that 261 people were owed a relief duty by the council.

This is where a family or person would be placed into temporary accommodation, such as a bed and breakfast.

But Cllr Alford revealed to us that there is currently no one in Wiltshire using a bed and breakfast due to homelessness, which is in contract to many other authorities across the country.

Prevent homelessness, rather than cure it

As mentioned earlier, homelessness is complex, but their target is to prevent it happening in the first place.

Cllr Alford told us they have employed 10 tenancy sustainment officers, who work with those at risk of becoming homeless by looking at ways of dealing with issues around debt.

The council also now has a domestic abuse case worker who who works alongside those at risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse.

Domestic abuse was the second highest support (16%) need for people who qualify for council support, with mental health the top need at 21%

And just last week, £300,000 of funding was handed out from the Government to provide trauma counselling to rough sleepers.