Decision details

Herefordshire Homeless Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 - 2031

Decision Maker: Cabinet member adults, health and wellbeing

Decision status: Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: Yes

Purpose:

This is a five year statutory strategy to replace the 2020-2025 strategy. It sets out our approach to the prevention of homelessness and rough sleeping in the county.

Decision:

That:

 

(a)            the Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 – 2031 at appendix 1 be approved.

(b)           The homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 – 2031 Delivery Action Plan at appendix 2 be approved.

(c)            That approval of any operational amendments to the delivery plan are delegated to the Corporate Director Community Wellbeing.

 

Alternative options considered:

1.     The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) National Ending Homelessness Strategy, published December 2025, requires all local authorities to update their existing strategies to homelessness and rough sleeping strategies. From 31st December 2025 housing authorities are required to:

a.     make available their strategies online and submit them to MHCLG and;

b.     publish annual action plans.

 

2.     Not to adopt a Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 – 2031 and linked delivery action plan for Herefordshire. This is not recommended as these are statutory documents, which requires updating in accordance with the Homelessness Act 2002 and the MHCLG National Plan to End Homelessness Strategy 2025. Also not approving this strategy will have an impact upon the funding provided by Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government being drawn down in years two and three. (see finance section)

 

Reason Key: Strategic nature / impact on communities;

Wards Affected: (All Wards);

Consultees

Director and Cabinet Member for Community Wellbeing.
Colleagues from across the council who's work impacts upon the strategy.
This strategy has been submitted to Herefordshire Homeless Forum for consultation, along with partner agencies in Herefordshire Safeguarding Adults Board, and BRAVE homelessness pathway.
A public consultation was also carried out to review the previous strategy and asking for views for the priorities in this strategy.

Contact: Robert Barnett, Housing Strategy Officer Email: robert.barnett@herefordshire.gov.uk.

Publication date: 30/03/2026

Date of decision: 30/03/2026

Date comes into force if not called in: 08/04/2026

Call-in deadline date: 07/04/2026

Current call-in Count: 0

Accompanying Documents: