'Critical' year ahead for homelessness services

Organisations involved in tackling rough sleeping have warned of a "critical 12 months ahead", due to funding pressures and changes to support services.

Representatives from the Oxfordshire's local councils, as well as members of Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance, say a potential change in funding will increase the challenges they face.

In a report to Oxfordshire's Health and Wellbeing Board, the groups also warned of the impact of changes to organisations supporting people at risk of homelessness.

The government is currently consulting on changes to the Homeless Prevention Grant - which is distributed to local authorities.

Proposals are being made to redistribute more funds to places with higher local benefit claim rates.

If adopted, the report said the changes would involve "large funding reductions" for all Oxfordshire's city and district councils.

"The transformation of our approach to rough sleeping is facing a critical 12 months ahead," the report added.

Homeless organisations also warned that structural changes to Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB) would reduce the resources available and create uncertainty within the partnership.

In response to these challenges, Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance said it would be transforming the way it works.

The partnership said it had agreed a new budget in an attempt to mitigate the risks - including "fundamental" changes to its accommodation and support on offering.

The latest figures for March 2025 show a slight reduction in rough sleeping in Oxfordshire, with 46 people recorded as sleeping on the streets compared to 48 people in the previous quarter.

A majority of the county's rough sleepers are based in Oxford - which also accounts for the highest number of long term rough sleepers.

A significantly higher number of people are considered as statutory homeless, which includes individuals who are in unsuitable or inconsistent accommodation - although the exact number in Oxfordshire is unknown.

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