Local Authorities’ Homelessness Strategies: Evaluation and Good Practice

The Homelessness Act 2002 is intended to bring about a step change in the way many local authorities approach the issue of homelessness. The Act requires Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) to take a more comprehensive approach, promoting prevention over traditional and reactive responses, and taking an overview of future needs. The legislation requires them to carry out a Review of homelessness in their area and to formulate and publish a Strategy based on the results of this Review within one year of the Act coming into force, that is, by July 2003. This summary presents the key findings from an evaluation of LHA Homelessness Strategies developed under the 2002 legislation. It was carried out by Housing Quality Network Services (HQNS) during the first half of 2004, on behalf of the ODPM. The research involved an evaluation of the Strategies and Reviews from all 354 authorities, and also studied self-assessment forms submitted by the authorities to the ODPM. A further group of 14 authorities (covering each region) plus two outside agencies attended a workshop in May 2004 to discuss the process of Strategy development and lessons for the future. This summary includes good practice from the evaluation and sets out the recommendations produced by the researchers for ODPM, LHAs, and other bodies, including other Government departments, the Housing Corporation, and the National Housing Federation and its member Registered Social Landlords (RSLs).

Publication Date: 
2004