The number of households accepted as homeless across Devon has fallen dramatically in recent years.  In 2002-03 3,281 households were accepted as statutory homeless across Devon, this figure fell to 1,048 in 2007-08.

This downward trend began with the introduction of the Homelessness Act 2002 which encourgaged Local Authorities to become more proactive in tackling homelessness, placing a requirement on Local Authorities to produce homelessness strategies.

Homelessness Strategies

The Local Authorities in Devon are currently in the process of updating their homelessness strategies.  It is expected that each authority will have published their revised strategy by September 2008.  Details of individual strategies can be found by following the link to each Local Authority website via the links page.

Government Policy

In 2005 the Government published Sustainable Communities - Settled Homes/Changed Lives which sets out the Government's current plans for tackling homelessness.  Effective prevention remains at the heart of this and in order to acheive this the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has set a number of national targets which the Local Authorities in Devon are currently working towards:

• 25% reduction in homeless acceptances by 2010

• 50% reduction in statutory homeless acceptances by 2015

• 50% reduction in number of households in temporary accommodation by 2010

• end the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for 16/17 year olds by 2010

In order to achieve the above targets and improve the service that people in housing need receive the Local Authorities across Devon are working together through the Devon Homelessness Managers Group.  Details of the work taking place can be found in the current homelessness work section.