Highland Council joins pioneering network to tackle homelessness

The Highland Council is joining a pioneering national network programme aimed at tackling homelessness.

The Centre for Homelessness Impact has created the What Works Community to provide a space for leading councils to develop ideas, network with peers and receive world-class guidance on improving their homelessness service.

As a participating local authority Highland Council will benefit from expert assisted learning from the fields of behavioural insights, design thinking and data-informed decision making. This will include guided learning, one-on-one support with the Centre’s staff and a platform for officers and peers from other councils to share  and exchange information and learn from.

Chair of Council’s Housing and Property Committee, Cllr Ben Thompson said: “We are committed to tackling the issue of homelessness and helping households in acute housing need. As part of our ongoing review into our homelessness services, I am delighted that we have been accepted by the Centre of Homelessness Impact onto their national programme. This is an exciting opportunity to review and improve the housing services we provide to vulnerable clients in Highland.”

The What Works Community is the first of its kind in the UK and follows a successful pilot programme run by the Centre for Homelessness Impact.

Dr Ligia Teixeira, CEO said: “I am delighted to welcome Highland Council into the latest What Works Community cohort. The needs of local authorities are as diverse as the communities they represent, and we’re excited to be working with a variety of new councils who bring unique challenges to the table.  What they all have in common is their commitment to improving the lives of their citizens and an understanding that making more effective use of data and evidence can aid them in their goals.”