SIX months after achieving the bronze level award, Cornwall Council becomes just the sixth local authority to be awarded the silver grading under the Government’s Gold Standard Challenge for the way in which it is tackling homelessness.

Cornwall Housing was formally presented with their certificate of achievement by the National Practitioner Support Service (NPSS) team at a good practice event earlier this month.

The government launched its national improvement framework for Local Authority Housing Options Services in April 2013 following the work of a homelessness ministerial working group.

Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing and environment, Joyce Duffin, said: ‘This silver award is recognition of the hard work we have put into improving our housing options and advice services over the last few years.

‘Our new homelessness strategy has a strong focus on the ten challenges to maintain a focus on effective prevention services and a coordinated approach to tackling homelessness.’