2024 Case Studies Pack
- May 2024
In 2019, Stevenage Borough Council introduced its strategy to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping. The strategy (2019-2024), outlines the council’s ambitions to set up a Housing First service which now in place, assists rough sleepers from the streets into accommodation including wrap around support. The service was created in partnership with council staff, residents and homeless individuals of Stevenage.
Background
In March 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic was announced and the initial lockdown occurred, which brought in the ‘Everyone In’ directive from central government. This meant all rough sleepers were to be offered accommodation regardless of priority need and most were placed into hotels on a short term, emergency basis to safeguard them as much as possible. As a direct result of the pandemic, the Housing First project was brought forward, and due to government funding becoming available, and the councils Housing Supply Team who assist homeless cases into the private rented sector, SBC were successfully able to place 28 individuals into the private rented sector, paying their first months’ rent and deposit costs as their hotels stays came to an end in July 2020
Will Peters
Housing First Project Manager
Stevenage Borough Council