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• Topic Summary
• Data & Trends
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Newcastle's Homelessness Strategy 2008-2013 evidences the need to continue with the preventative approach with the emphasis on reducing demand and improving the quality of the supply of services rather than the quantity. 

The Strategy identifies the following core actions for the ongoing successful prevention of homelessness (in no priority order):

1) Consolidate and extend the prevention of homelessness to reduce demand for crisis accommodation

There may be increasing pressure on housing from the current economic situation.

Homes for a sustainable future: Newcastle's Housing Strategy 2006-2021 has resource implications to achieve the planned programme.

The Homelessness Strategy, in reducing homelessness, appears to have achieved a number of goals based on the better management of demand through prevention initiatives. In terms of the homelessness services themselves, the improvements which have been made include:

 - Increased homelessness, compounded by current credit and mortgage issues and particularly for those in deprived areas already 'on the cusp of homelessness' (Newcastle's Homelessness Strategy 2008-2013).

The following issues around move on were identified through Newcastle's Homelessness Review Summary 2008:

Young people

Council homelessness and homelessness prevention services

The main homelessness services provided by the City Council are based at the Housing Advice Centre (HAC).  Details of the services provided are in Appendix 1. Services are provided to respond to enquiries from people who are homeless, may become homeless, or have other housing problems.

National policy

The Homelessness Act (2002) requires Councils to act strategically to prevent homelessness. Specifically local authorities are required to develop a strategy every five years based on a thorough review, and for that strategy to plan to address and prevent homelessness across all client groups.