This week will see the launch of an ambitious partnership aimed at tackling homelessness.
The Homelessness Reduction Board launches today Thursday 10 October to coincide with World Homeless Day. The board will be responsible for tackling homelessness across Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole through local partners working together on an agreed vision and monitoring progress against agreed joint aims.
The partnership between Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, other statutory services, the private sector and the third sector has the aim of reducing and preventing homelessness in the conurbation using a coherent and consistent plan. Including all sectors and organisations who are working to combat homelessness in the BCP Council area, will ensure a clear approach is in place.
The Homelessness Reduction Board will agree the local strategic direction and vision required in order to support the prevention of homelessness and to tackle rough sleeping, particularly where issues require an integrated response.
The collaborative approach will also help to ensure that in working more closely together the wide range of existing services already in place from a variety of agencies to tackle homelessness, are better utilised and coordinated to maximise the benefits.
Councillor Kieron Wilson cabinet member for Housing, BCP Council said:
“I welcome the enhanced collaboration that this strategic new initiative will bring, and I look forward to working with colleagues as we outline a way towards achieving our challenging goal of reducing and eventually ending homelessness and rough sleeping.”
Alistair Doxat-Purser, Chief Executive, Faithworks Wessex said:
“So many people of goodwill across the BCP Council area want to play a part in helping individuals facing hidden or street homelessness; we must be able to work more effectively by bringing together the power of each organisation whether statutory, voluntary, all the fabulous church and community activities, or all the untapped skills in the business sector. My belief is that today’s launch of the Homelessness Reduction Board is more than a bit of governance: it is our chance to stand shoulder to shoulder so that “my neighbour”, every one of them, has somewhere safe to call “home” tonight. This is a red-letter day!”
The board’s membership will also ensure robust links are in place to other strategies and boards including, Health & Wellbeing, Safeguarding, Corporate Parenting and the Community Safety Partnership.