New plans to help support households worried about homelessness have been agreed by North Lanarkshire Council.
The temporary accommodation strategy (TAS) aims to minimise the time spent in temporary housing and ensure a swift transition for people into permanent homes, and aligns with the local authority's rapid rehousing transition plan.
A key aspect to helping those living in temporary accommodation is the installation of free, reliable broadband in more than 500 temporary council properties to provide much-needed digital connectivity for individuals and families.
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Michael McPake, convener of housing, told Lanarkshire Live: "This new strategy marks a significant milestone in our commitment to ensuring homeless households receive the support they need.
"By aligning with best practices and focusing on rapid rehousing, we aim to reduce the time spent in temporary accommodation and provide as much support as possible to those experiencing challenging times.
“The installation of free broadband will also provide significant support, as not having access to online services can be a barrier at a time when it is needed the most.
"By providing digital inclusion, those in temporary accommodation will be able to use vital online services and allow children to access important educational resources.”
The TAS, agreed by the council’s housing committee, outlines various actions to address the changing needs of homeless individuals and families.
These include the development of additional dispersed accommodation units, review of support services and collaboration with partners to increase housing allocations for homeless households.
The council's commitment to innovation and collaboration underscores its dedication to providing "high-quality support and accommodation to vulnerable individuals and families across North Lanarkshire".
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