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Warwick and Stratford-on-Avon district councils have written a joint five-year plan for housing and homelessness, and people across both districts could be asked for their views from 3 December. The draft South Warwickshire Housing and Homelessness Strategy is before Warwick’s Housing Scrutiny Committee tonight, Tuesday 3 November, at 6pm at the Town Hall.
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Councillors there are only being asked to note the work so far. The report says the draft goes to the Cabinet in November for approval to consult, and the Cabinet’s next meeting is on Thursday 26 November.
What the Warwick housing strategy would cover
The strategy would run from 2026 to 2031 and replace Warwick’s current Homelessness Strategy, which covers 2021 to 2026. Councils must have a homelessness strategy by law. A wider housing strategy is optional, but the report says people the councils spoke to saw housing supply, housing quality and homelessness as all connected. It has five priorities:
- a mix of new homes that meets local needs
- preventing homelessness and reducing rough sleeping
- safe homes that meet the Decent Homes Standard
- energy-efficient homes that are comfortable all year
- good housing and landlord services
Each council would keep its own homelessness section, because each still has its own legal duties. The two councils are already working together on the South Warwickshire Local Plan, and the government is minded to put them into one new council from April 2029.
The money for homelessness in Warwick
Warwick has a Homelessness, Rough Sleeping and Domestic Abuse Grant of £1,124,503 for 2026/27, and £3,402,686 over the three years to 2028/29. Temporary accommodation is now funded separately, so that councils don’t have to choose between paying for it and paying for prevention.
The report also says recently announced money from the Rough Sleeping Programme will provide a route off the street for everyone before Christmas this year, along with longer-term housing and support for people who have slept rough for a long time. It doesn’t give a figure for that money or any local numbers.
How to have your say
If the Cabinet agrees, the consultation would run for seven weeks, from 3 December 2026 to 14 January 2027. That is a week longer than usual because of Christmas. Officers plan one public event in Warwick district and one in Stratford, plus online events and an online questionnaire. Detailed action plans won’t be part of the consultation. The final strategy is due to go to both councils for adoption in March 2027.
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