New Forest District Council (NFDC) has launched a strategy to prevent homelessness, support people at risk, and help residents find secure accommodation.  

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy sets out NFDC’s priorities for tackling homelessness and rough sleeping over the next five years. A key focus of the strategy is prevention and early intervention.  

NFDC will be continuing in their work to help people at risk of homelessness to get support before they reach crisis point, and work with partners to help people find safe and secure accommodation.  

Cllr Steve Davies, Deputy Leader of the Council, and Portfolio Holder for Housing and Homelessness said: 

“We know that homelessness can happen for many different reasons, and that getting the right advice and support early can make a real difference.  

“We have made good progress in tackling homelessness and rough sleeping in our district. The number of households in temporary accommodation fell by 25% in the three years to March 2025, while rough sleeping has also reduced significantly, but there is more to do.  

We recognise that pressures remain, including the availability and affordability of suitable accommodation and the use of temporary accommodation. Our strategy sets out how we will build on that progress, strengthen prevention and make sure people have access to the right accommodation and support. The overall ambition is for homelessness to be rare, brief and non-recurring.”

NFDC will continue their work with a range of partners including health and social care services, probation, the police, housing associations and voluntary and community organisations to identify people who may be at risk and making sure they can access the right support at the right time.

NFDC will continue their work with a range of partners including health and social care services, probation, the police, housing associations and voluntary and community organisations to identify people who may be at risk and making sure they can access the right support at the right time.