Ealing deputy council leader Louise Brett has agreed a three-part package covering homelessness prevention, temporary accommodation for families and support for rough sleepers.
A new placement policy
A new placement policy divides households into three priority zones. People with specialist medical, social-care or educational needs will receive priority for accommodation in the borough, while other groups may be placed within a specified distance.
Emergency accommodation for families
The council has also agreed a two-year lease for the Barn Hotel in Ruislip as emergency temporary accommodation for homeless families.
Rooms at the hotel are being altered to create larger family spaces and better food-preparation areas. The arrangement is intended to reduce reliance on more expensive bed-and-breakfast accommodation.
Making rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring
Cabinet also agreed a draft five-year strategy intended to make rough sleeping rare, brief and non-recurring. It includes earlier prevention, stronger outreach and improved routes into settled housing.
Brett said the council wanted to intervene at every stage, from preventing homelessness to helping people maintain a long-term tenancy. The strategy will be consulted on before it is finalised.
