Addressing Homelessness in the South Hams

Homelessness in the South Hams stretches to more that simply those sleeping rough on the streets. It doesn't take long to find a friend or neighbour in the South Hams who has been served with a section 21 amid the current housing crises. There has been a proposal for a public consultation on preventing homelessness and local views will be sought if South Hams District Council Executive Committee agree on it on 27 January 2022. The report highlights that single and couples households, families, and people with additional needs are all at high risk of homelessness and must be prioritised alongside rough sleepers.

South Hams District Council said, "If agreed at the Executive meeting, the Homeless Strategy public consultation will give local people the opportunity to share their views. This will mean the Council can be confident the proposed plans cover the right priorities and will meet the needs of everyone in the community".

Cllr Judy Pearce, South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Housing said: “When you hear the word homeless, automatically you think about people sleeping rough in our towns. Our team work extensively with this group to provide support and housing options. Working with multiple agencies, this approach finds a suitable long-term home for someone who is homeless. It also significantly increases their chances of keeping the accommodation and making positive life choices. While not everyone chooses to take up this offer, the mix of intensive support, outreach work and open offer of accommodation has resulted in low numbers of people sleeping rough in the District. At our last rough sleeper count in November, we found two rough sleepers, a reduction from the seven counted three years ago. 

“However, this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the issue of homelessness in the South Hams. There is a large number of people in our District who do not have a home but are not sleeping rough – for example, sofa-surfers who are relying of friends and family to get by. As a Council, we’re working to increase the number of properties locally available at below market rate to ease this issue. We’re also making sure that the needs of this group of people are highlighted in our Homeless Strategy so they remain in focus. Whether you have been homeless, at risk of homelessness or have concerns for friends or family who may be at risk, please do spend a few minutes to share your views in our consultation. We want to make sure every view is heard and represented so our plans meet local needs and so no one finds themselves without a roof over their heads.” 

If agreed on, the Homeless Strategy public consultation will start in February 2022. It is anticipated that a final draft of the strategy will be presented in Early Spring, with formal adoption from April 2022.

If you've been effected by the latest housing cries in the South Hams and are facing homelessness in the near future contact SouthHams.com on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to get your voice heard.