Have your say on homelessness services

Residents in Daventry district are being invited to have their say on the future of homelessness services.

Daventry District Council has published its draft Homelessness Strategy for the next five years which aims to reduce the number of people who find themselves without a home.

Proposed measures include working with teenagers in schools district-wide to raise awareness of the issues and creating a Homelessness Services Directory detailing organisations that can help residents. There are also outline plans for a new mediation service to help families and neighbours resolve disputes that could lead to homelessness.

Simon Bovey, Managing Director at Daventry District Council, said: “It is important for us to have a clear strategy that enables residents to get vital support on homelessness issues.

“It will help us to reduce the amount of people finding themselves without somewhere to live and improve our services to those who need it most.

“We want people to have a look at out plans and then give us their comments so we can ensure the final strategy adopted is as comprehensive and inclusive as possible and take local people’s opinions into consideration.”

Members of Daventry District Council’s Strategy Group agreed plans to move forward with the public consultation on Thursday night (22^nd May).

The draft Homelessness Strategy 2008-13 can be viewed at www.daventrydc.gov.uk. Comments must be received by June 20^th, 2008.

Printed copies of the draft strategy are also available at libraries district-wide, from the council’s outreach centres in Brixworth, Woodford and Long Buckby and from the Abbey in Market Square and council’s One Stop Shop, in Lodge Road.

For more information please contact Homelessness Strategy Officer Jenny Tilley on 01327 302478.