Royal Greenwich Becomes First Council In The Country To Win Top Award For Tackling Homelessness

* Cllr Denise Hyland

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has been recognized as the most successful council in the country for preventing homelessness after receiving a top award from the Government.

In doing so, it became the first Council to achieve the Gold Standard award for tackling and preventing Homelessness - including taking action against rogue landlords, preventing residents from becoming homeless and reducing the need for temporary accommodation. 

The Council has achieved all 10 of the Gold Standard challenges in recognition of the fact that: 

1) Last year the council prevented 1800 households from becoming homeless through their casework and support.

2) The Council’s Welfare Reform Team prevented 225 families from becoming homeless last year, and has supported 229 into work.

3) Action was taken against rogue landlords and as a result improved property conditions, alongside providing support and assistance to those landlords wanting to provide good quality housing to homeless people.

4) During 2014-15 the council prevented 45 home owners from losing their homes, and provided advice to many more through the duty scheme which supports people at risk of repossession and other difficulties.

5) The council has reduced the number of households in temporary accommodation by almost 60 per cent between 2008 and 2013. And has ended the use of temporary accommodation for 16-17 year olds, and limited the placement of families into shared accommodation to below 6 weeks. 

Councillor Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “I’m really proud of the fact that we have become the first local authority in the country to achieve this award. Tackling homelessness is one of the biggest challenges facing councils across London and the UK and this award demonstrates our commitment to doing all we can to prevent homelessness through early intervention and targeted support for those most in need."

“Over the coming years we will continue to put our energy and resources into preventing homelessness and seek to raise our standards even higher. Our commitment has local people at its heart and is all part of our aim is to ensure that everyone has a decent place to call their home.”

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