HOMELESSNESS in Hyndburn will be discussed by councillors ahead of the development of a new five year prevention strategy.

Members of the communities and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee will meet next week to hear the activity taking place to tackle the problem.

The Homelessness Reduction Act introduced a raft of key measures which change the way local authorities assess the problem.

There has been an extension of the period ‘threatened with homelessness’ from 28 days to 56 days. This means a person is treated as being threatened with homelessness if it is likely they will become homeless within 56 days.

Councils now have a duty to prevent homelessness for all eligible applicants who are threatened, or at risk of homelessness regardless of priority need.

There is also a duty to relieve homelessness and secure accommodation for all eligible applicants who are already homeless regardless of priority need.

Hyndburn undertakes an annual rough sleeping estimate in November each year. This determines the number of people sleeping rough on a particular night.

In 2013 there were three, rising to four the following year. In 2015 there were four before the number dropped to two in 2016. Last year the count found the number of rough sleepers had risen to six.

In a report to go before the committee, the council's housing advice and homelessness manager, Denis Aldridge, said: "As part of a multi-agency response to this increase Maundy Relief provide an emergency ‘nightshelter’ for individuals who would otherwise be at risk of sleeping rough.

"Crossroads, supported housing scheme for young people, also provide this provision for younger people. Both organisations provide somewhere safe to sleep for the night, access to washing facilities and hot food and drink prior to their housing crisis being addressed the next working day.

"Nationally the Government has recently published a National Rough Sleeping Strategy (August 2018) in response to the increase in numbers sleeping rough.

"The Government is committed to halving rough sleeping by 2022 and ending it by 2027.

"It sets out their 2027 vision to support every person who sleeps rough off the streets and into a home. This is backed up by £100 million of funding.

"The strategy is asking partners (nationally and locally) to work together in new ways."

The report adds universal credit has also had an impact on the problem, with homeless people finding it difficult to make a claim - leading to delays.

The council is required by legislation to undertake a review of homelessness and publish a ‘Homelessness Prevention Strategy’ every five years.

The current strategy expires in 2019 and the council will be consulting and developing a strategy that will identify the current priorities for homelessness in Hyndburn and actions to address these needs.

As part of the review, the communities and wellbeing overview and scrutiny committee will be consulted on the new Homelessness Prevention Strategy.