New approach launched to stop homelessness before it starts in BCP

BCP Council and Homelessness Partnership BCP have launched a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for 2026–2031, with a clear aim: spot problems earlier, act faster, and prevent homelessness wherever possible.

The council says the strategy is designed to support people at risk of losing their home, those sleeping rough, and anyone struggling to stay in safe housing — including people experiencing hidden forms of homelessness.

“We want to prevent homelessness wherever we can”

Cllr Kieron Wilson, Cabinet member for Housing and Regulatory Services, said the strategy is about doing things differently by listening to people with lived experience, acting earlier, and working together as one system.

He said the goal is simple: fewer people losing their homes, and faster, sustained support when it’s needed.

Prevention at the heart of the plan

A major focus of the strategy is prevention — stepping in before problems escalate into crisis.

BCP Council says this builds on the work of its Homelessness Prevention Team, which was recently recognised with a Bronze award at the LGC Awards 2026. The team’s work has already helped:

• Over 1,500 households
• With a 72% success rate in preventing homelessness
• Alongside an 18% reduction in rough sleeping

Shaped by lived experience

The strategy has been developed alongside people who have experienced homelessness, with the council saying their insight has helped shape services that are more understanding, better connected, and focused on what genuinely helps people stay in stable housing.

Real-life impact: early intervention helping families

The council shared an example of a young mother who had to leave her home with a newborn due to controlling and unsafe behaviour in a relationship. She was temporarily living in overcrowded family accommodation, but through early intervention and coordinated support across housing, safeguarding and specialist services, she was helped to access a safe, suitable home for herself and her baby.

She said:
“I don’t think it would have happened without the support I had. It’s made such a positive difference and means a lot to us as we start to settle into our new home.”

A more joined-up system for residents

For residents, BCP Council says the strategy should mean:

• Getting support earlier and more quickly
• Services working more closely together
• Less need for people to repeat their story or navigate complex systems alone
• A focus on helping people stay in their homes — not just responding when someone is already in crisis

Partners working together

The strategy is backed by a shared commitment from housing providers, charities, health services, education, businesses, community groups and the private sector to work together, learn what works, and keep improving.

BCP Council says the strategy comes at a time when rising pressures mean more people are at risk — and the aim now is to build a system that is more flexible, responsive, and better able to support people before things go wrong.