Homelessness Strategy 2003 - 2008
Introduction
The aim of this Strategy
To set out the Council’s approach to tackling homelessness as required by the Homelessness Act 2002. The Strategy will enable the Council to build on and extend the current range of services to take into account the information from the Review of Homelessness in Gateshead.
Background
Gateshead's Homelessness Strategy is based on a review of homelessness in Gateshead. The review identified the main problems facing homeless clients in Gateshead. The Council via its Supporting People Strategy has already identified areas of need following a needs mapping exercise. For the homelessness review this has been added to by consulting directly with service users and providers to identify other areas of unmet need.
The key needs identified by the homelessness review are:-
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Implement Supporting People schemes already identified as part of needs mapping exercise.
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The Council’s temporary accommodation is in need of expansion.
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Disabled clients are unable to access the Council’s temporary accommodation.
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The Council’s support services provided at its temporary accommodation are in need of improvement.
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Extend the range of housing advice offered to all clients.
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Support services to all key client groups could be expanded both in dedicated accommodation and floating support.
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Specific work with prisons to work with prisoners prior to release are needed.
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Integrate medical assessment within the homeless assessment process. Improve drug treatment referral timescales.
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Increasing needs of BME community need to be addressed.
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Low projected income for new household creations.