Draft homelessness and rough sleeping strategy published for Tunbridge Wells

Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has published a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy setting out how it plans to prevent homelessness, reduce reliance on temporary accommodation, and tackle rough sleeping across the borough over the coming years.

The draft strategy follows a Homelessness Review carried out in April 2025 and reflects both national pressures and local housing conditions, including rising rents and house prices.

Housing affordability is a key factor behind the strategy. Over the past year, average house prices in Tunbridge Wells rose by more than 13%, higher than the South East average, while private rents increased by just over 10%. Private renting in the borough is now more expensive than anywhere else in Kent apart from Sevenoaks and Dartford.

Although the borough is not considered highly deprived overall, parts of Sherwood Ward fall within the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods nationally. These pressures, combined with family exclusions and difficulties accessing private rentals, are contributing to housing insecurity for some residents.

A central priority of the strategy is preventing homelessness before it happens. The council says early support is the most effective way to reduce demand for temporary accommodation and improve outcomes for households at risk.

Planned actions include closer working with health services and voluntary organisations, targeted support for people not in employment or training, and greater use of data tools - including predictive analytics - to identify households at risk earlier. The council also aims to reduce repeat homelessness and lower the number of family exclusions.

With social housing supply limited, private rented accommodation plays an important role, but high costs, deposit requirements and landlord reluctance can create barriers. The strategy highlights upcoming national reforms under the Renters’ Rights Bill, which will make it illegal for landlords to refuse tenants solely because they receive benefits or have children.

Locally, the council plans to support tenants in overcoming access barriers, explore a private sector leasing scheme or social letting agency, and improve households’ financial resilience so tenancies can be sustained.

The use of nightly paid accommodation such as hotels and bed and breakfasts is described as expensive and often unsuitable, particularly for families. Tunbridge Wells reports a 67% reduction in its use of nightly paid accommodation since 2021 - a contrast to national trends.

The next phase focuses on improving council-owned temporary accommodation, securing funding for alternative options such as self-contained units, strengthening move-on pathways into permanent housing, and exploring specialist accommodation for survivors of domestic abuse.

Rough sleeping remains a visible concern, often linked to complex needs such as mental health challenges and substance misuse. The strategy commits to preventing rough sleeping wherever possible, and where it does occur, keeping it brief and non-recurring.

Actions include rapid access to accommodation during severe weather, expanded supported housing options, closer collaboration with health services, and the development of a Housing First approach in partnership with housing providers.

Nationally, rough sleeping has increased over the past three years, and the number of households in temporary accommodation across England has risen by more than 10% in the past year. The council says the draft strategy is designed to respond to these pressures while reflecting the borough’s specific housing profile.

The strategy is currently in draft form, with residents and stakeholders invited to review and comment before it is finalised.