Earlier this week, around 80 delegates from local authorities, charities, and the public and private sector gathered in Derby to discuss homelessness in the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) region.
Delegates were updated on EMCCA’s work to research and fully understand the homelessness picture in the EMCCA region. This has involved EMCCA engaging with key stakeholders covering all aspects of homelessness across all sectors.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward attended the roundtable and listened to delegates who talked about the challenges and issues people are facing in our region. These challenges were powerfully illustrated by stories of lived experience of homelessness experienced by a wide range of people in different parts of the East Midlands.
Discussions at the roundtable were in-depth and multi disciplinary, and built a strong consensus around the role EMCCA could play in leading a holistic strategy to make a long term positive impact.
Mayor Claire talked to delegates about her intention to work in a collaborative way with experts in the sector to make system-wide improvements that will materially benefit those who live and work in the region.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said: “Ending homelessness isn’t just a policy issue; it’s a moral imperative. By working closely with experts in the region, listening to those with lived experience, and bringing people together, I want to ensure that no one has to face the devastating reality of losing their home. We need to shift from simply managing homelessness to preventing it altogether, and I will do everything in my power to make that vision a reality.”
Delegates welcomed the targeted and collaborative discussions and expressed support for EMCCA’s role in convening this work. A number of delegates at the roundtable will meet again soon to discuss and recommend the terms of reference for a strategic steering group or task force that will build on the momentum created by the roundtable and set a strategic direction and action plan for this vital programme of work.