Provision of Housing & Homelessness: Accommodation, Support, and Prevention

Description

Somerset Council is developing future options for its housing and homelessness provision. The aim is to establish a more flexible, person‑centred, and solutions‑focused offer that can better meet the diverse and changing needs of residents. This includes strengthening our homelessness prevention approach and expanding opportunities for social prescribing into appropriate accommodation and support pathways. As part of this work, the Council intends to establish a Countywide Framework that brings together previously fragmented services into a more coherent, consistent, and coordinated system. This new model will support improved accessibility, clearer pathways, and more equitable provision across Somerset. We want to move toward a model that enables tailored interventions, promotes independence, and provides responsive support at the right time. Through this market engagement activity, the Council is seeking insight and feedback from providers to help shape a more effective and collaborative system. This engagement also forms part of the wider re‑commissioning programme, where joint ownership, partnership working, and co‑production with providers and stakeholders - including Somerset Council, commissioned service providers, housing partners & referral agencies, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, Public Health, VCFSE partners, and people with lived experience - will be key elements of the future design (this list is not exhaustive). It is anticipated that any new arrangements would commence on 1st April 2028