Working together to prevent and tackle homelessness in Tameside

PEOPLE are being encouraged to give their views on how the council, community and other stakeholders can work together to prevent and tackle homelessness in Tameside.

Homelessness is a growing concern both nationally and locally with the numbers of households experiencing homelessness increasing each month. In Tameside, there has been a 40% increase in the number of residents contacting the Housing Advice Team for support on various difficulties.

Tameside Council has reviewed its homelessness services and have produced a refreshed strategy and action plan that sets out how it will work towards preventing and reducing homelessness and supporting those affected.

Residents, stakeholders and people with lived experience of homelessness are being asked to give their feedback on the draft strategy to help shape and improve services going forward. You can access the online survey, which will be open for six weeks from 1 May 2025, at: www.surveymonkey.com/r/TMBCHomelessness

The council is working across all communities in partnership with a wide range of stakeholders including other services, registered providers of social housing, voluntary organisations, and the private sector to achieve the vision of making homelessness in Tameside rare, brief and non-recurring.

A Homeless Reduction Board will be created and will include partner agencies as well as representation from Homeless link who will serve as a critical friend. The role of this board will be to oversee implementation of the strategy and ensure delivery of our Homelessness Action Plan ensuring the residents of Tameside receive a consistent and high-quality service regardless of their reasons for needing support and increasing access to good quality and sustainable accommodation.

Tameside Council Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Growth, Housing and Homelessness Cllr Andrew McLaren said: “I’m committed to the vision that, in our borough, homelessness should be rare, brief and non-recurring. It is with this in mind that we have taken the opportunity to refresh our policies and strategies to ensure they are relevant to and representative of our local area, people and services.

"We want to ensure the Homelessness service is meeting the current needs of our residents and is ready to face the future demands head on with innovative solutions and a people centred focus. 

“Your views on this draft strategy are important. Whether you have personal experience, know someone who has or are just interested in helping us to improve things in Tameside, we would like to hear your thoughts on this draft strategy.

“I’m confident that by working together as a community we can help get the right support to people when they are facing times of crisis.”