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More than £2.6 million invested to prevent homelessness and support Gloucester residents

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More than £2.6 million was invested by Gloucester City Council during the past year to support 1885 households facing homelessness with accommodation and housing-related assistance.

A report endorsed by the council's Cabinet this week shows that spending on homelessness prevention and support increased by six per cent compared with the previous twelve months. Of the total expenditure, just over £1.6 million was provided through Government grants, an increase of £0.55 million compared with 2024/25, and contributions from the Council’s general funds of £1 million.

The council has continued to place a strong emphasis on preventing homelessness wherever possible, helping residents secure and sustain accommodation before a housing crisis develops. A range of practical measures were used to support households, including rent deposits and rent-in-advance payments, landlord incentive schemes, debt and welfare benefits advice, support with rent arrears, budgeting assistance and referrals to specialist partner organisations.

Alongside prevention work, the council continues to fulfil its statutory duty to support people who find themselves homeless in an emergency. Demand for homelessness services remains high, and councils have a legal responsibility to provide assistance when individuals and families present in need.

Councillor Luke Shervey, Cabinet Member for Housing at Gloucester City Council, said:

"Preventing homelessness before it happens delivers better outcomes for residents and helps reduce the distress and uncertainty that can come with losing a home. While we will always respond when households face a housing emergency, our priority is to work with people as early as possible to help them remain in suitable accommodation and avoid reaching crisis point. We are also intending to develop new ways of delivering these services, including expanding community-based advice and home visits. By reaching people earlier and providing support closer to where they live, we can improve response times, strengthen our work with landlords and partners, and achieve even better prevention outcomes in the future."

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has introduced a new approach to funding homelessness services for 2026/27.