Coventry City Council's Cabinet will consider a major £14.8 million investment in housing support services in response to a 90% increase in people seeking housing help since 2020.
The proposed re-commissioning of Housing Related Support Services will see the creation of five specialist support programmes, including a new dedicated service for women with complex needs – addressing a gap identified in current provision.
If approved, the investment will fund services from April 2026 for an initial two years, with the potential to extend for up to six years.
The move represents a further shift towards a prevention-first approach, aiming to keep people in their homes rather than responding only when they reach crisis point.
Councillor Naeem Akhtar, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to tackling homelessness in Coventry.
“We've seen a dramatic increase in people needing our help – a 36% rise in approaches to our homeless service, in just one year between 2022/2023 and 2023/2024.
“We need to act now to provide the right support for our most vulnerable residents, with a focus on preventing homelessness before it happens.”
The proposed services will support five key groups: adults with complex needs, older single people (25+), young people (18-24), families, and women with complex needs.
The complex needs provision will include specific support for rough sleepers and emergency accommodation during severe weather.
The council's latest Homelessness Review identified that “friends and family no longer willing to accommodate people” is the biggest single cause of homelessness, particularly affecting young people without children.
The new services will support delivery of Coventry's Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2025-2029), which focuses on three key themes: early intervention and prevention, targeted crisis support, and move-on and tenancy sustainment.
If approved, the tender process will begin in August 2025, with contract mobilisation over the autumn and winter months ahead of the April 2026 start date.
The services will complement the council's existing temporary accommodation provision and help reduce pressure on increasingly expensive emergency housing options.