West Lindsey District Council opposes potential emergency housing cuts

Emergency support for those who are homeless and suffering from mental health or addiction issues could face changes when the current contract ends in September.

Lincolnshire County Council currently commissions the Housing Related Support Service across the whole of the county.

The service offers short‑term, specialist support to people with mental health needs and/or substance misuse issues, helping them address the underlying causes of homelessness and develop the skills needed to live independently.

Support is provided in a range of settings, including hostels, people’s homes and within the community.

The service is delivered through the Lincolnshire Housing Related Support Partnership comprising: Framework Housing, Amplius (formerly Longhurst Group), The Salvation Army and Nacro.

The Reform-run Lincolnshire County Council is asking the public how the money should best be spent.

In West Lindsey, Amplius delivers 31 units; 16 accommodation-based units and 15 floating support units. This includes 12 supported accommodation units at The Foyer in Gainsborough and 4 self-contained move-on units.

All referrals into the service come through West Lindsey District Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team.

Demand remains high, with waiting lists for both accommodation and floating support.

Since December 16, 2022, the team has made 335 referrals to accommodation-based support and 273 referrals to floating support, meaning over 600 vulnerable residents have been eligible for support over the past three years.

The service is commissioned until September 2026, with Lincolnshire County Council currently consulting on future arrangements.

West Lindsey District councillors unanimously backed a motion by Coun Emma Bailey to oppose any cuts, with several saying that housing problems made up the majority of their casework.

Coun Bailey said: “This service supports some of the most vulnerable people in our district.

“The evidence shows just how many residents rely on it every year. Removing or reducing this support would have devastating consequences, and we must do everything possible to retain it.”

The motion was seconded by Coun Roger Patterson.

In response, councillors talked about their case loads in recent weeks, which have been about those who are homeless or facing homelessness.

Coun Stephen Bunney said: “The last few weeks has involved an incredible number of people who are either homeless or facing it.

“Worryingly, some are able to get housing for a week or so but are soon struggling again.

“Times are hard, but cutting will create more problems than it is worth.”

The current consultation is asking residents whether none, some or all of the programme should be defunded, and the money spent elsewhere.

West Lindsey leader Coun Jackie Brockway said: “The idea of moving money away from the very weakest in the community is appalling.”

More than 600 people have been helped by the service in West Lindsey in the last three years.

Coun Tom Smith said charities were being relied on to plug the gaps left by local government, and he often heard from veterans facing homelessness.

He said: “I have seen the problems first-hand as a volunteer with a local food bank – it goes deeper than money.

“Everything relies on volunteers nowadays. I have had people on the phone at 3am because I was the only person they could reach.

“We need systems to work together because people are falling through the cracks.

“Organisations are stripping back what they will do, and there’s nothing being put in their place.”

The leader will write to Lincolnshire County Council, and will urge other districts to do the same.

Anyone can take part in the consultation on the Let’s Talk Lincolnshire website for Housing Related Support, which closes on February 9.