Oxford,
18
November
2016
|
12:31
Europe/London

Partners work together to secure future support for single homeless people in Oxfordshire

A partnership approach to maintaining services for single homeless people in Oxfordshire agreed in September has been set out in detail by the county council, district councils and Oxfordshire CCG, following reduction in county council's budget of £1.5m by

A unanimous agreement was reached to support proposals for a new joint governance structure to procure and manage services and accommodation for single homeless people.

The project will be delivered over a three year period starting from 1 April 2017.

A joint statement between all parties involved said: “Acting as the lead Commissioning Agency, Oxfordshire County Council is working with South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, West Oxfordshire District Council, Oxford City Council, Cherwell District Council and Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure the reduction in beds is managed and local provision for rough sleepers continues. The total investment from all agencies involved is £2,940,000 over three years.”

Councillor Judith Heathcoat said: “I am pleased that discussions held between all of the different agencies involved has led to a plan being set out on how services for single homeless people can be continued in Oxfordshire.

“These new proposals would involve £2,940,000 being contributed by the seven organisations involved over the next three years, this includes the NHS, the county council in its role as the provider of social care and the district councils in their role as housing authorities.

“This is a good example of local organisations working together to come up with a realistic solution despite difficult circumstances. I look forward to everyone continuing to work together to protect and preserve services over the next three year period.”

Housing provision is continuing to be funded and a new commissioning process will be put in place for:

  • A complex needs hostel based in Oxford City with allocated access for district partners in Oxfordshire (56 beds)

  • A range of dispersed supported beds in Oxford City for the use of Oxford City Council (42-50 beds)

  • Local supported beds for Cherwell District Council, (13 beds) South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils (14 beds) and West Oxfordshire District Councils. (6 beds)

Housing provision that will no longer be funded:

  • Simon House Hostel in Oxford City –following a 12 month decommissioning period

  • Julian Housing; supported accommodation dispersed across Oxford City following a 6 month decommissioning period