WORKING together is the way forward when it comes to the way Rossendale Council deals with homelessness -- according to a new strategy.

Rossendale's Homeless Strategy and Review is to be published in a bid to tackle the problem in the borough. Questionnaires, snapshot surveys, focus groups, interviews, consultation meetings and postal consultation have be used to build the review.

The Citizens' Advice Bureau has plans for closer working with Sure Start and Shelter to provide a more comprehensive advice service for families and other groups.

Rossendale has a population of 64,400 with housing provided by the council, Registered Social Landlords (Housing Associations) and the private sector. According to the strategy's findings, some homeless people do not approach the council as they do not know about the services offered or do not expect to be re-housed.

Between 1997-2002 the number of people unintentionally homeless and in priority need rose from 200 to 253, those intentionally homeless went from five in 1997 to 22 in 2002 although those who were homeless but not in priority need decreased from 40 in 1997 to 12 in 2002. The report suggests some Asian people may be living in 'hidden homelessness' -- overcrowded conditions.

And it has identified ways for the council to prevent homelessness including ensuring that services are accessible to enable people to get help when they have housing problems; offering clear and effective advice on housing and related issues and providing support to help people stay in their own homes

Chris Roberts, housing services manager, said in thereport: "The link between debt and rent arrears has been identified by the Citizens' Advice Bureau in Bacup as a significant factor in homelessness in the borough. Mounting debt leads to rent arrears which in turn lead to eviction and homelessness."

He added: "The Citizens' Advice Bureau is keen to develop its working arrangement with Rossendale Borough Council whereby tenants who are falling into rent arrears can be referred to the bureau for debt management, helping to sustain tenancies and prevent homelessness."