North Devon Council has launched a public consultation to help shape its new Homelessness Prevention Strategy and is inviting residents, partners and stakeholders to share their views.

Local authorities are required to carry out a review of homelessness in their area and publish a homelessness and rough sleeping strategy every five years, or sooner if circumstances change.

Building on a recent review of homelessness and rough sleeping in North Devon, the new strategy sets out how the council and its partners will work together to prevent and relieve homelessness and rough sleeping. It is supported by an action plan that will be reviewed and updated annually.

The strategy also outlines how the council will continue to meet its duties introduced through the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, which came into effect in April 2018.

The consultation is now open and runs until Monday 7 September.

Councillor Graham Bell, Lead Member for Housing at North Devon Council, said: "Homelessness remains a massive focus of our council as well as the many partner agencies we work with to find housing solutions for the hundreds of families, every year, who are made homeless in our district. And the thousands of families who are still looking for a home of their own.

"I think this is a very powerful strategy, and I welcome this consultation, it gives the people of North Devon a chance to see what our Housing team does but also, it gives you an opportunity to discuss and shape our services and help to make a real difference to vulnerable families across North Devon."

Residents can take part in the consultation by visiting the Let's Talk North Devon website. 

Paper copies are available for completion from the Town Centre Hub in Barnstaple's Green Lanes Shopping Centre, the Ilfracombe Centre, and the Amory Centre, South Molton. Opening hours are available on the council's website.

Paper copies or large print copies of the survey are also available on request by emailing the council's Corporate and Community Services team.