Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026 - 2031
Our new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026–2031 sets out Tunbridge Wells Borough Council’s commitment to preventing homelessness, reducing rough sleeping, and ensuring residents have access to safe, secure and suitable accommodation.
Building on the progress made under the 2021–26 strategy, this updated plan focuses solely on homelessness and rough sleeping, allowing us to deliver more targeted action at a time of rising housing pressures nationally. The strategy is informed by a comprehensive Homelessness Review, national policy changes, and extensive consultation with residents, partners, and people with lived experience.
Our four key priorities
1. Preventing homelessness at the earliest opportunity through early intervention and supportWe will strengthen early intervention, work closely with partners such as health, education and voluntary services, and support families and individuals experiencing multiple disadvantage before a crisis occurs.
2. Increase access to private rented sector accommodation
As demand for housing grows, we will help residents overcome barriers to renting, work proactively with landlords, and adapt to major national reforms under the Renters’ Rights Act 2025.
3. Reduce the use of nightly‑paid forms of temporary accommodation
We will continue investing in better-quality, self‑contained temporary housing, minimise the use of bed & breakfast accommodation, and improve the condition and availability of our own temporary accommodation stock.
4. Prevent rough sleeping and single homelessness, but where rough sleeping occurs, keeping this brief and non-recurring.Through dedicated outreach, supported accommodation, health partnerships and rapid placement options, we will work towards eliminating long‑term rough sleeping in the borough.
How we will deliver the strategy
The action plan includes over 60 practical commitments, such as:
- expanding tenancy sustainment and landlord liaison services
- using predictive data tools to identify households at risk sooner
- creating new supported accommodation pathways
- strengthening partnership work with housing associations and voluntary agencies
- improving temporary accommodation standards
- developing Housing First and other specialist models
Progress will be monitored bi‑annually through the Housing Advisory Panel and aligned with the Council’s wider Strategic Plan 2024–2032.
Our commitment
With clear priorities, stronger partnerships, and a prevention‑first approach, this strategy aims to reduce homelessness, support vulnerable households, and improve long‑term housing outcomes for people across the borough.