Housing professionals from across Lichfield were brought together at an inaugural conference to discuss ways to tackle homelessness.
Delegates from more than 20 organisations attended Lichfield District Council’s first Annual Homelessness Conference aimed at sharing ideas and best practice for the prevention of homelessness and the improvement of services for those in need.
Ann Mills, Housing and Homelessness Manager at the local authority, said: “Being homeless can be devastating and the effects can be long lasting.
“The conference was about bringing together local partners who play a role in preventing local people from becoming homeless – whether that’s providing housing options, support services or temporary accommodation.
“The aim of our annual conference is to create stronger working bonds between partners, help us work together better, and to identify new opportunities to keep more people in safe and secure homes locally.”
Among the organisations in attendance were housing association Bromford, STARS, Better Way, Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), and charity Spring Housing.
Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Local Plan, Councillor Alex Farrell, said: “There was an amazing 700 years’ experience in the room – that’s an incredible wealth of knowledge of homelessness in our area.
“I want to thank everyone for coming along and sharing their knowledge and experience, and I look forward to the Homelessness Conference going from strength to strength in the next few years.”
