Positive steps for Pendle’s homeless

 

At their latest meeting, members of The Executive approved the purchase of several properties to increase temporary accommodation provision for Pendle’s homeless as an alternative to expensive bed and breakfast places to stay.

They also approved the use of Local Authority Housing Fund money to purchase two of the properties.

Councillors also gave their approval to the Pendle Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2025 – 2030 to ensure the Council continues to meet its statutory duty and legal obligations to provide suitable temporary accommodation for homeless people.

Phillip Spurr, Pendle Borough Council’s Director of Place, said: “As homelessness cases have increased, the use of temporary accommodation has also increased.

“At the same time, affordable housing has reduced as the private rented sector has become unaffordable and social housing availability has reduced.

“This has resulted in existing temporary accommodation becoming blocked and the only other option is often expensive bed and breakfast alternatives.

“Options were looked at and now councillors have agreed that Pendle Borough Council purchase and renovate five, two-bedroom, long-term empty properties within Pendle.”

The Council has been granted funding of £149,000 to purchase two properties; one for use as temporary accommodation for people who have become homeless and the other for temporary accommodation for a family that is part of the Government's Afghan Resettlement Programme.

Under the Homelessness Act 2002, Pendle Borough Council must carry out a homelessness review and formulate a strategy based on the results of that review.

As such, a Pendle Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2025 – 2030 has been developed.

Its aims are to prevent homelessness; to continue to ensure there is a safety net of accommodation for people who are or who may become homeless; to provide support to people who are or may become homeless or who have been homeless and need support to prevent them from becoming homeless again.

Wayne Forrest, Pendle Borough Council’s Housing Needs Manager, said: “There has been a notable increase in homelessness applications over the past few years, which is heavily impacting on the need to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people in Pendle.

“As such, a significant part of the strategy is dedicated to the prevention of homelessness and an action plan has been created.”