COUNTY council staff who compiled a lengthy report on homelessness in Dorset have been commended for their work in raising the issue.

Deputy county council leader Jill Haynes said that the team had put a lot of work into trying to understand what was happening in the county.

She said she hoped that the issue would be taken up by the new Dorset Council when it comes into being next April as it would also have the lead role in housing, taking over from the district and borough councils.

Wednesday’s county council cabinet meeting backed a call for the new council to find the money to continue an existing emergency fund which can be used to tackle immediate problems where residents find themselves on the streets, or need some support to get into accommodation again after a period of being homelessness.

Cllr Haynes said she was aware that the Dorset Councils Partnership was working on the problem in West Dorset, Weymouth and Portland and North Dorset, but was not aware that the issue had yet been raised with the shadow Dorset Council.

“But it is something which needs to happen and I hope that it will,” she said.

The report confirmed that homelessness in the county has been increasing – often through the break-up of relationships, loss of work or people simply not earning enough to rent, or buy a home. Some find themselves without a home because of mis-use of drugs or alcohol and mental illness.

“Clearly, homelessness is a complex issue, but also an important one which impacts on…the county council’s outcomes. It is therefore important that we continue to focus on what can be done to improve the position, and that this issue is also recommended for further work,” said John Alexander, senior assurance manager at the county council who put together the research.

His report suggests that Dorset learns from the experiences of others and suggests that working with partners, including the NHS, may be helpful locally.

He also says that the council should question whether the current signposting and communication about what is available, is adequate and effective.

Further work is also suggested on the relative cost of private rented accommodation in Dorset, compared to public sector provision.

“Should this be a factor in deciding whether to prioritise building new accommodation, or accessing private sector rental housing?” said Mr Alexander.