Decision details

To seek approval for the adoption and publication of the new Lincolnshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27.

To approve the adoption and publication of the new Lincolnshire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-27.

The Council must have a current strategy to be compliant with legislation.

The strategy will provide the priorities for the next 5 years which Lincolnshire Councils and other organisations will work together to achieve.  

There will be an action plan produced setting out how the priorities will be achieved, and this will be a working document which will be updated as and when required.

The other Lincolnshire District Councils agree with having a countywide strategy.

It is not an option to do nothing as the law requires that all local authorities have a strategy on homelessness and rough sleeping.

South Holland District Council could produce its own strategy but this would not be the preferred approach due to the established and effective partnership and positive outcomes achieved to date through collaborative working.

The South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership could produce a strategy for the 3 authorities contained within in but again, this would isolate these authorities from the other districts and given the other cross-council partnerships such as Change4Lincs, this is not a logical option.

A countywide strategy is seen as good practice and cost effective. Many of the priorities require Lincolnshire to work together to achieve better outcomes for our residents. Having a countywide strategy has also helped increase grant funding for countywide housing and homelessness initiatives. This is because it evidences the seven Lincolnshire Councils and where applicable Lincolnshire County Council can work together for the benefit of its residents.