Consultation on new homelessness and rough sleeping strategy

Consultation on new homelessness and rough sleeping strategy

A new strategy which aims to put people first and prevent homelessness through earlier intervention, is out for consultation.

The draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031 sets out the council’s priorities to improve homelessness and rough sleeping outcomes in Slough.

One priority is universal prevention, which aims to make homelessness rare.

Another is targeted prevention, giving tailored support to people who are more likely to face homelessness, including people leaving institutions, domestic abuse survivors, care leavers, young people, migrants and people leaving hospital or prison.  

When someone is at risk of homelessness, it is important they can get help quickly and are directed to the right support. The strategy aims to improve how people are assessed, how risks are identified, and how housing services respond to help.

Among the proposals is a temporary accommodation (TA) reduction plan, which would strengthen TA inspections and suitability reviews, reduce the time spent in TA, and help people move into settled housing more quickly.

In the consultation, questions ask residents, professionals and those with lived experience to share their views, what has worked or not worked, and what the council could be doing to help reduce homelessness and rough sleeping, and what support would be beneficial.

Councillor Iftakhar Ahmed, lead member for housing, homelessness and communities, said: “Slough is an area which has a high demand for housing services, and issues of low affordability, high overcrowding, deprivation and health inequalities, make things even more challenging.  

“We aim to make sure homelessness in Slough is prevented where possible, and where it cannot be prevented, it is brief, safe and well-managed, and does not lead to repeat incidences of rough sleeping.

“We want to make it easier for people to get help and support before becoming homeless. We have several proposals on how we can do that, including taking housing support into local communities, helping people get support as early as possible, and involving people with lived experience in shaping homelessness services.

“I would urge everyone to share their views, so we have a strategy which is fit for purpose and puts the needs of residents first.”

The plan is to establish a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Taskforce, with internal and external partners to deliver the strategy’s aims.

Improving the housing advice ‘front door’ through digital, telephone and face-to-face services is also planned, to ensure easy access to realistic and legally accurate advice.

The consultation is open until 31 October.

Read the draft policy and find the survey link (scroll down).