Newcastle is strengthening its nationally recognised work to prevent homelessness through Active Inclusion Newcastle and the Homelessness Prevention Trailblazer programme.
The work focuses on identifying the risk of homelessness earlier and bringing services together around the needs of each resident.
Our Labour-led council has continued defending prevention and advice services despite the severe pressure caused by government funding cuts and welfare reforms.
We know that homelessness is rarely the result of one problem. Housing insecurity can be linked to changes in benefits, debt, loss of employment, ill health or family circumstances. If organisations respond separately, opportunities to prevent a crisis can be missed.
Through Active Inclusion Newcastle, council services work with housing providers, welfare advisers, health organisations and the voluntary sector. Sharing knowledge and strengthening referral routes can help residents receive support before they lose their homes.
The Trailblazer programme will allow Newcastle to develop this approach further, test new ways of identifying risk and improve cooperation between organisations.
Labour councillors will continue supporting residents through ward casework and helping them access appropriate advice. The cases raised locally also reveal recurring problems and help us improve services across the city.
Government welfare policies and rising living costs continue to place households under pressure. Although the council cannot remove all those risks, it can make assistance easier to find and reduce the likelihood of residents being passed between agencies.
Preventing homelessness is better for residents, families and the city. We will continue protecting this work and pressing for national policies that reduce insecurity rather than deepen it.
Deputy Leader of Newcastle Labour, Cllr Joyce McCarty said:
“Newcastle has shown that early intervention and strong local partnerships can prevent people from losing their homes. We will use this additional support to identify risks sooner and make sure residents are connected to practical help before they reach a crisis.”