North Lanarkshire Council is doing more to help the homeless than ever before - that's the message in the second North Lanarkshire Homelessness Strategy for 2006 – 2009.

The draft version of the strategy was published recently on the council's website. It not only highlights targets for the next three years, it also demonstrates some of the results that have already been achieved.

Since 2003 the council has helped 11 families to remain in their own homes through the local mortgage to rent scheme; established new women's refuges in Motherwell, Bellshill and Coatbridge; redecorated and updated 200 temporary accommodation units and provided about 1,600 furniture packages to help people who were homeless settle back into a sustainable tenancy.

This second strategy is the continuation of a process that started in 2002 and has been carried out in consultation with service users and other stakeholders, and with the co-operation of a range of expert partners including local housing associations, the Glasgow Simon Community, Lanarkshire Citizens' Advice Bureaux and Shelter.

"We want not only to assist those who have become homeless, but also to help prevent homelessness occurring in the first place," said Monica Patterson, Head of Housing with North Lanarkshire Council.

"As well as improving access to accommodation, advice and support the strategy aims to help improve employability prospects, address the causes of social isolation and improve knowledge about homelessness by raising awareness and dispelling myths about people who are homeless.

"It is vital that all the partners to this document continue to play their part in delivering services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and we will keep this strategy under constant review to make sure it continues to address local and national priorities."

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