Agenda item

The Health and Wellbeing Board is RECOMMENDED to NOTE the report and update.

Richard Smith (Head of Housing, Cherwell District Council) and Grace Hinde (Oxfordshire Countywide Homelessness Partnership Manager) presented the Prevention of Homelessness Director’s Group Update. The report provided a six-monthly update on the work of the Directors’ Group and outlined progress in the development of a refreshed countywide Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. Members were advised that the Directors’ Group continued to bring together representatives from Oxfordshire’s local authorities and partner organisations to coordinate activity aimed at preventing homelessness, reducing rough sleeping and improving outcomes for individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

It was explained that homelessness continued to present a significant challenge both nationally and locally. While the nature and causes of homelessness had become increasingly complex, partners across Oxfordshire remained committed to developing a more preventative and coordinated approach. The Directors’ Group had therefore focused considerable effort on strengthening partnership working, improving strategic oversight and ensuring that services were aligned around prevention and early intervention wherever possible.

Members heard that a revised Oxfordshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy had recently been developed and had been subject to a period of public consultation. The consultation had generated a positive response and had attracted input from local authorities, voluntary and community organisations, statutory partners, people with lived experience of homelessness and members of the public. Feedback had broadly endorsed the strategic direction proposed within the draft strategy and had highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong preventative focus. Respondents had consistently emphasised the need for earlier interventions, improved coordination between services, and greater support for people who were at risk of homelessness before reaching crisis point.

The Board was informed that the refreshed strategy had been developed against a backdrop of continued pressures within the housing system. Challenges relating to housing affordability, limited housing supply, increasing demand for temporary accommodation, rising living costs and wider economic pressures continued to affect residents across Oxfordshire. Members heard that these factors often interacted with wider social issues, including poor physical and mental health, family breakdown, substance misuse, domestic abuse and financial hardship. As a result, homelessness was increasingly recognised as both a housing issue and a broader public health concern requiring a whole-system response.

Discussion focused on the strong relationship between homelessness and health inequalities. People experiencing homelessness often experienced significantly poorer health outcomes than the wider population and faced considerable barriers in accessing healthcare and other support services. One of the key objectives of the strategy was therefore to strengthen links between housing, health and social care services to provide more integrated support for vulnerable individuals. Particular emphasis had been placed upon improving pathways for people with complex needs and ensuring that support was available before issues escalated to crisis point.

Members were informed that the Directors’ Group had continued to work closely with registered housing providers, NHS partners, adult social care services, public health teams and voluntary sector organisations. The report highlighted a range of collaborative initiatives aimed at preventing homelessness, supporting people to sustain tenancies and reducing repeat presentations to homelessness services. The Board heard that partnership working had become increasingly important given the complexity of need presented by many individuals experiencing homelessness.

Members welcomed the preventative approach being adopted and reflected on the importance of addressing the wider determinants of homelessness. Several members noted that housing instability was often closely linked to health inequalities, poverty, social exclusion and adverse childhood experiences. It was considered essential that future work continued to recognise these wider factors rather than viewing homelessness solely through the lens of accommodation provision.

Discussion also explored the experiences of people moving through temporary accommodation and support pathways. Members heard that while considerable effort was being made to support individuals into stable accommodation, demand pressures continued to present operational challenges. The Board recognised the importance of ensuring that support services remained person-centred and that individuals were assisted not only in securing accommodation but also in maintaining longer-term stability and independence.

Members welcomed the inclusion of lived experience within the development of the refreshed strategy and noted the value of understanding the perspectives of people who had experienced homelessness. It was acknowledged that lived experience insight had helped shape priorities within the strategy and had informed a better understanding of the barriers faced by individuals seeking support. The Board agreed that maintaining this perspective would remain important during implementation of the strategy.

The discussion also considered how success would be measured over the lifetime of the strategy. Members commented on the importance of capturing outcomes rather than simply recording activity levels. Whilst recognising the complexity of the issue, members expressed a desire to understand more clearly how strategic interventions were contributing to reductions in homelessness, improvements in housing stability and better outcomes for affected individuals. It was suggested that future updates should explore opportunities to present longer-term outcome measures alongside operational performance information.

The Board RESOLVED to:

1.    NOTE the Prevention of Homelessness Director’s Group Update.