A “wet” accommodation centre aiming to help those with alcohol addictions could be introduced in Caerphilly County Borough.
This form of accommodation would have 24-hour staff provision and would allow residents to continue to drink alcohol but with the support from staff to reduce, control or to stop.
It is part of strategy that aims to prevent and address homelessness through a rapid re-housing approach.
The Welsh Government requires all local authorities to develop a Housing Support Programme strategy every four years, with Caerphilly’s presented to the council’s social services scrutiny committee meeting on Tuesday, March 8.
The strategy highlights the council’s main priorities, which include; improving access to accommodation through more affordable housing, increasing early intervention and targeted prevention, and to invest in the workforce.
Around 4,000 people are seeking housing advice or support from the council at any one time, therefore increased staff numbers could help to tackle the issue.
In January 2021, the council reported a 92 per cent increase in the number of referrals in comparison to January 2020.
A needs assessment was undertaken to identify the key priorities for the borough and it found there was a lack of housing, especially supported accommodation.
Additionally, there is a lack of gender specific accommodation for women who have experienced trauma.
At the meeting, Shelly Jones, supporting people manager at the council, said: “Around 70 per cent of service users have a common mental health disorder.”
Committee members approved the strategy on Tuesday evening and it will now go to the council’s cabinet to be decided.
