Tunbridge Wells Borough Council has launched a public consultation in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, to help decide how to support people without a home over the next five years. The consultation was launched on 2 February 2026. The new plan, the Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2026–2031, will guide how the local authority uses its budget to help vulnerable residents and families who are struggling to find a permanent place to live.
Local leaders want to hear from residents, businesses and charities to make sure the strategy addresses both people sleeping on the streets and those in ‘hidden’ situations, such as families staying in temporary flats or sofa surfing. While the Autumn 2024 rough sleeping snapshot reported just 4 people sleeping rough on a single night in Tunbridge Wells, council figures from 2025 show that over 300 households in the borough were owed a prevention or relief duty (i.e., receiving help because they were at risk of losing their homes).
Councillor Astra Birch, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “We want to hear from residents to ensure our strategy reflects the reality of life in the borough today. Homelessness isn’t just about people on the streets; it’s about the families in temporary flats and those at risk of losing their homes due to rising costs.” The council’s housing services also stress the importance of early intervention, noting that once someone is on the street the human and financial cost is much higher.
Residents can share their views through the Talking Point Tunbridge Wells website or by visiting drop-in sessions at The Amelia Scott civic centre. The consultation is expected to run for around 6–8 weeks, with the final strategy due for adoption in April 2026.
This feedback will be used to update the previous Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (2021–2026) to ensure that local support services meet the current needs of the community until 2031.
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