Fears that cuts to homeless support could ‘put people back on the street’

The ‘floating housing’ service currently supports 128 people with mental health or substance issues to stop them from losing their homes.

Councillors said the proposed cut by the Reform administration at Lincolnshire County Council risks more vulnerable people becoming homeless.

A public consultation overwhelmingly found support for maintaining the service, however the council says it’s not “financially sustainable” and wants to direct part of the funding towards care leavers instead.

Accommodation for 195 homeless people provided by the council will be unaffected by the proposal.

The health committee on Wednesday (November 4) heard concerns that people struggling with other issues could fall through the cracks and end up homeless.

Labour Councillor Karen Lee said after the meeting: “People in floating housing are still very vulnerable, and not used to managing a household. I’m worried that if that support is taken away, they could end up back on the street.

“I feel strongly that it’s a political decision, there’s no necessity for it to happen. Lincolnshire County Council is in a strong position financially.

“It’s also about the personal cost and the mental health of the people involved. The average age of death for people on the streets in Lincoln is 47, compared to the typical age of 77.”

Concerns were also raised that the NHS, police and councils would face greater pressure as a result of the cut.

The proposal was described as a case of “short-term savings leading to long-term issues” by Conservative Councillor Kelham Cooke, who asked: “Are these genuine savings or just transferring costs?”

Councillor Sue Woolley said: “This is a stark example of prevention being better than the cure”, and said it would leave vulnerable adults at risk.

Lincolnshire County Council’s assistant director for public health, Anne Marie Scott, told the committee that other support would be available to those affected.

“The proposal retains the stability and trusted support that people told us they value, connects them more closely with treatment and prevention, and gives those with greatest health challenges a stronger platform for recovery,” she said.

The majority of the committee voted to back the proposal, with Reform Councillor Reeve saying: “We are not cutting because we’re nasty people, it’s a prudent thing to do and people will be looked after.”

Reform Councillor Steve Clegg, who is responsible for adult care and health at the authority, said district councils had been approached about jointly funding the service but declined.

Related to this, the county council is also considering a new service that would help people with poor mental health and drug or alcohol issues to improve their health, sustain recovery and build more independent lives.

It is looking to build on the success of its Housing Related Support service, with the new Lincolnshire Health, Recovery and Independence Service. This would strengthen links to mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment, healthcare services and wider community support. It would also offer more opportunities for volunteering, developing skills and rebuilding connections within local communities.

The design of the new service has been shaped by feedback from people who use the current Housing Related Support service, the public and partner organisations. Its defining purpose would be to improve health, reduce health inequalities, sustain recovery and build independence.

Although district councils are responsible for helping people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, the county council currently offers a Housing Related Support service. This is designed to provided short-term public health support to those who are homeless and also need help with their mental health and substance use.

District councils would retain their existing housing and homelessness prevention responsibilities. The new service has been developed in close discussion with district councils and other partners, whose feedback and support helped shape the revised approach and its stronger focus on health, recovery and independence. It is designed to complement existing housing and homelessness support, not replace it.

Anne-Marie Scott, Assistant Director for Public Health, said: “We have listened carefully to people who use the service, the public and our partners. They told us how important trusted support and help to improve health are. Those messages have directly influenced the design of the new service.

“The proposed approach would build on what people value most, while creating stronger links to treatment, healthcare and wider support. It would help people stay engaged with services, improve their health and achieve lasting recovery and independence.”

Councillor Steve Clegg, Executive Councillor for Adult Care and Public Health, added: “This would build on a service that has already helped many people and use it as the foundation for something even more ambitious.

“The aim is not simply to provide support in the moment, but to help people move from crisis to stability, from stability to recovery and from recovery to greater independence.

“The proposed approach would strengthen the links between housing, health and recovery services, while focusing Public Health funding where it can make the greatest difference.

“We must focus public health resources where they can achieve the greatest health benefit. This is about building on what works, helping people achieve better long-term outcomes and supporting people to lead healthier, more independent lives.”

As mentioned, the current Housing Related Support service also offers ‘floating support’ for people who are still in their own accommodation but may be at increased risk of losing it.

The new service would focus on accommodation-based support. While the ‘floating support’ would not continue, the council says people at risk of becoming homeless would still be able to access all the specialist services as before under this new service. They will also be able to get easier access to other public health services like immunisations.

The council's Executive will consider the plans on December 1. If approved, the new service would begin on August 1, 2027 following the end of the current contract.