Bridgend Council’s Cabinet has been recommended to approve a new five-year housing support and homelessness reduction strategy (pdf).
There was overall support for the strategy amongst consultees, with 81.3% agreeing with its aims.
The report also notes that there is a lack of affordable rental properties. A search undertaken in July 2023 found no rental properties anywhere in Bridgend County that would be covered by Local Housing Allowance rates.
As a reminder, the core aims of the strategy are:
Increase the supply of affordable and social housing – Bridgend County needs an estimated 5,133 social and affordable properties by 2033, with demand greatest in the Bridgend (particularly Brackla), Porthcawl and Cornelly areas. 1 and 2-bedroom properties are most in demand. The aims include increasing the number of private rental properties, making the best use of social housing grants from the Welsh Government and repurposing existing buildings.
Introduce a rapid rehousing programme – The aims include reducing the reliance on temporary housing, reviewing social housing allocation policies and longer-term solutions such as BCBC owning more temporary accommodation themselves.
Improve the housing response service – Ensuring there are enough staff, that people know what homelessness support is available and that housing support services are accessible to everyone.
Work with other agencies on homelessness prevention – This includes improving data collection on homelessness, closer working with Cwm Taf Morgannwg health board and promoting independent living for care-leavers.
Improve housing support services for those with complex needs – A sizable proportion of people seeking housing support have mental or physical disabilities or have experienced domestic abuse.
Be more proactive in keeping rough-sleeping numbers down – This means reviewing homelessness outreach programmes so they are “more assertive” and ensuring that where rough-sleeping occurs it’s “brief and non-recurring”.
