People at risk of becoming homeless will now be given greater priority for housing in North West Leicestershire, the District Council says.

As part of a review of its homelessness strategy and housing allocations policy, North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC) is reprioritising those at risk of homelessness to support them earlier in the process.

The higher priority is expected to reduce the number of homeless people needing emergency accommodation and prevent people being in that situation at all.

The council says it will also work to reduce its use of B&Bs - as it recognises the negative impact this temporary accommodation has on individuals.

In future, the council says its emergency accommodation will focus more on:

• Expanding the use of its own housing to provide short emergency lets
• Working with other housing providers to make use of their available properties
• Identifying partners to develop new dedicated temporary accommodation.

The council says it consulted with residents, partners and tenants on both draft documents over the summer and opposition members were supportive of the approach through the scrutiny process.

Its Homelessness strategy for 2023-2028 aims to:

• Reduce the demand for homelessness services
• Increase the number of positive outcomes for homeless households
• Reduce the demand and improve the quality of emergency accommodation
• Better meet the needs of people with complex needs
• End rough sleeping.

In reviewing its allocations and lettings policy, the authority has also changed the names of the priority and high bands for those on the housing register.

These temporary bands will now be known as critical and urgent to reflect the fact that those in the highest bands need housing as soon as possible.

The change in naming will improve the communication between the council and applicants and help manage expectations for those applying for a home.

The new housing allocations policy and homelessness strategy were both agreed by NWLDC's Cabinet agreed this week (Dec 12).

With the homelessness strategy now in place, NWLDC says it will look to develop policies to support its aims, including ways to recover the cost of emergency accommodation, and how to support people with additional needs.

Councillor Andrew Woodman, NWLDC Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: "Not having a home or living somewhere that is unsafe or unsuitable can have a devastating effect on people.

"We want to ensure that we are taking the right approach to preventing homelessness and rough sleeping and supporting those are at risk as becoming homeless as soon as possible.

"We know that temporary accommodation is stressful and takes people away from family and friends, jobs and schools, at a difficult time. We hope these changes to our policy reduce the need for emergency accommodation and offers a better solution for those in need.

From 2018 to 2022 NWLDC reported an increase in demand for homeless services, and a reduction in available accommodation.

In 2018 the authority says it received around 225 homeless applications. This increased to just over 400 by 2022.

NWLDC runs a Choice Based Lettings Scheme, which ensures those seeking affordable housing can choose from homes offered by the council, along with other registered providers.

The Allocations and Lettings Policy ensures those looking for a home who are in urgent housing need are given preference within the Choice Based Lettings Scheme.