A homelessness strategy will be debated next week and could be adopted by Dover District Council
11:10, 11 May 2021
updated: 11:19, 11 May 2021
Councillors will decide whether to formally adopt a plan to tackle homelessness next week.
Dover District Council have drawn up proposals on how it will try and improve outcomes for people in Dover, Deal and Sandwich who find themselves homeless.
The draft plan was approved during a meeting of Dover councillors in January which kick started an eight-week long consultation, although only four people took part.
The strategy- which will bring the local authority up to 2024 - includes a pledge to end rough sleeping, as well as working with other agencies and ensuring housing options are communicated to those in need.
According to a report presented to councillors, the number of social homes let across the district fell by 23% between 2015 and 2019 and although the number of people rough sleeping has stayed relatively the same.
The number of families considered to be homeless rose from 46 in 2015 to 170 in 2019.
During the same period, the cost to the council stemming from the provision of temporary accommodation rose by over 258%.
The council's old strategy introduced a rent guarantee scheme and also minimised the use bed and breakfasts for families with children longer than six weeks; the council now want to reduce the use of B&Bs for all households and provide council-owned temporary housing.
Cabinet members will discuss the strategy when they meet on Monday, May 17.
Read more: All the latest news from Sandwich
