Pay online
Find a form
Bin & Wheelie collections
Find your councillor
Council meetings & agenda
Compliment, comment or complaint
Garden waste collection
Licence applications
Planning Applications
Publications
Clubs & Organisations
In response to consultation with partners, stakeholders and service-users, seven key strategic priorities have been identified to enable the East Kent authorities and their partners to build upon their achievements to date, and to tackle the ongoing problem of homelessness in East Kent:
The increasing emphasis in recent years on the prevention of homelessness has significantly reduced the number of homeless households in East Kent. Building on this success is a major priority for the East Kent authorities and their partners.
Although the number of people recorded as sleeping on the streets in East Kent is low in comparison to other parts of the country, there is strong evidence to suggest that this does not reflect the true extent of the problem.
The private rented sector has a significant role to play in meeting the housing needs of many households in East Kent. In practice however, accessing private rented accommodation is still a problem for the most vulnerable members of the community.
A high proportion of vulnerable households have difficulty maintaining a permanent tenancy without support. The East Kent authorities have a key role to play helping vulnerable households to access support to help them live independently.
The East Kent authorities are committed to exceeding the Government’s target for all local authorities to halve the number of households living in temporary accommodation by 2010.
An increasing number of young people are being accepted as homeless in East Kent. Youth homelessness is also a key target for the Government, and by 2010 the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds must end.
By monitoring and measuring performance, and listening to service-users, partners and stakeholders, strengths and weaknesses can be identified and tackled, good practice shared, and services continuously improved.
Individual priorities are discussed in detail at section 5 of this strategy. The objectives that underpin each priority will be found in the Homelessness Strategy Action Plan.
Foreword
Executive Summary
Strategic Context
East Kent Perspective
Achievements and Progress
Reviewing the Service
Strategic Priorities
Resources and Funding
Monitoring and Reviewing
Action Plan
Appendix 1 - East Kent Homelessness Forum
Appendix 2 - homelessness and priority needs categories
Appendix 3 - Service user consultation feedback summary
Appendix 4 - partners
Appendix 5 - Performance
Appendix 6 - Glossary of terms
Appendix 7 - anticipated funding and expenditure
Appendix 8 - local authority contact details
E-mail:
housing@thanet.gov.uk
Tel: 01843 577218