Have Your Say on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy

Residents are invited to have their say on a homelessness and rough sleeping strategy for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP), that aims to put community voices at its heart.

The consultation launch comes as BCP Council took a collaborative step towards  tackling the issue with the successful delivery of its Homelessness Summit, held on 11 November at Marsham Court Hotel.

The event brought together a wide cross-section of people with lived experience of homelessness along with community partners, front line workers and sector leaders.

Their views and expertise will help shape the council’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026-2031, which residents are now invited to have their say on.

Councillor Kieron Wilson, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Regulatory Services at BCP Council, said:

“The Summit was an inspiring and very human event, a reminder of why having a stable home matters so deeply. Hearing from a range of partners and people with lived experience was incredibly important; their voices bring real insight into what works and what needs to change. Now, we’re asking our communities to help shape the strategy further.

"Together, we can build a future that is compassionate, grounded in real experience, and ensures that everyone has a safe place they can call home.’’

The Summit marked a significant milestone in shaping the draft strategy’s bold vision, which is to prioritise early prevention and, where homelessness cannot be avoided, ensure it is rare, brief, and unrepeated.

Key themes introduced at the Summit, and now open for public feedback, include:

• Early prevention and data-driven approaches

• Trauma-informed care

• Inclusive communication and co-production

• Changing the public narrative around homelessness

The expertise and experience of partners have helped refine priorities and ensure the approach reflects the real needs and challenges of people in BCP.

The strategy will be launched in Spring 2026, following this period of public engagement and refinement.

To take part in the consultation and share your views, visit haveyoursay.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/en-GB/projects/homelessness-strategy-2026