Newcastle’s work with housing providers, advice services and voluntary organisations has helped prevent 4,529 potential cases of homelessness in the past year.
The figure is reported in the council’s new homelessness strategy and demonstrates the value of intervening before residents lose their homes. University researchers have also described Newcastle’s homelessness-prevention work as highly effective.
These results have been achieved while government welfare changes, rising household pressures and reductions in council funding are increasing the risk of homelessness.
Our Labour-led council has continued investing in coordinated advice and prevention because an early response can make the difference between a resident keeping their home and reaching an emergency.
Housing problems are often connected to changes in income, debt, benefit delays, health difficulties or family circumstances. We therefore bring housing services, welfare advisers, social landlords and voluntary organisations together to address the causes of a problem rather than simply its immediate symptoms.
Labour councillors also help residents access support through their ward surgeries and casework. The cases raised with councillors allow us to identify recurring problems and improve how services respond.
Preventing homelessness gives residents greater security and avoids the enormous personal cost of losing a home. It can also reduce pressure on temporary accommodation, health services and other public bodies.
We recognise that thousands of Newcastle households remain under significant strain. The council cannot remove every cause of hardship, particularly when decisions about welfare and funding are made nationally, but we will continue organising local services around residents and making the case for fairer policies.
Depity Leader of Newcastle Labour, Cllr Joyce McCarty said:
“Preventing 4,529 potential cases of homelessness represents thousands of residents and families who have been helped before reaching a devastating crisis. These results show why Newcastle must continue protecting skilled advice and prevention services despite the pressure austerity places on our budget.”