Issue - meetings

The Executive Member for Housing & Support.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

1.    Adopt the Homelessness Review and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027.

2.    Authorise the Head of Housing in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing to make any necessary minor amendments to the Homelessness Review and Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-2027 prior to implementation.

The Executive reviewed the Homelessness Review and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027.

Executive Member for Housing & Support, Councillor Neame, introduced the new strategy which the Council is required to publish every five years. The strategy builds on the current activities and support undertaken by the Housing Service and partner organisations to prevent homelessness, support those who are homeless and deliver more housing options.  The requirement is set out in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the subsequent revised legislative framework. This imposed more duties on Councils to support households in need of housing support at an earlier stage than before, and for longer periods of time.

It was noted that strong partnership work with organisations such as housing providers, support services and charities was critical for delivering the right services and suitable housing options. The dedicated work of the Housing Service was highlighted by Councillor Neame.

Visiting Member, Councillor Blacker, observed that the strategy set out the high monthly rental costs in the Borough such as for a room in a House of Multiple Occupation. As the earnings threshold for many households requiring private rentals had increased significantly how was the deficit for a householder covered. Officers confirmed that if an applicant was on Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, the applicant had to cover the balance.

The Leader emphasised the importance of early intervention to help avoid evictions which was a key part to avoid a person or family groups becoming homeless. He commended the strategy and action plan for approval by Executive Members.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive:

1.    Adopt the Homelessness Review and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Action Plan 2022-2027.

2.     Authorise the Head of Housing in consultation with the Executive Member for Housing to make any necessary minor amendments to the Homelessness Review and Homelessness & Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-2027 prior to implementation.

That the Committee:

1.             Notes the activities and actions to tackle homelessness set out in the Homelessness Review at Annex 1 and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-2027 at Annex 2, the Action Plan at Annex 3; Equality Impact Assessment at Annex 4; and

2.             Makes any observations for consideration by the Executive.

The Committee received a report on the activities and actions to tackle homelessness set out in the report, Homelessness Review at Annex 1, the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-2027 at Annex 2 and the Action Plan at Annex 3.

Councillor Neame, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Support, gave an overview of the Homelessness Review and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy which the Council is required to publish every five years under the Homelessness Act 2002. The current strategy expires in March 2022. The new strategy, set within a revised legislative framework, contained priority activities and actions to prevent homelessness and support those who are homeless, including the increasing numbers of applicants with multiple support needs, and setting out proposals to secure more suitable accommodation options. The approved Revenue Budget 2020/21 of £1m in the report set out each area of spending. Private bed and breakfast emergency accommodation accounted for around a third of the current year’s budget.

Councillor Neame praised the dedicated work of the housing team over the last five years for their support for homeless people or those at risk of becoming homeless. She highlighted successes such as providing services under the significant changes to legal duties set out in the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, delivering the Council’s own emergency temporary accommodation to allow clients to stay in the Borough close to their own and family support teams and using the in-house advice service to support residents with budget and welfare needs at the earliest opportunity to prevent homelessness.

The Strategy looked to build on these successes to make services more user friendly give a wider choice to prevent homelessness and support on longer term basis for a stable home with more chance to obtain permanent employment. Key areas in the 2022-27 Strategy are to:

·       Prevent homelessness and sustain and secure tenancies.

·       Respond to residents with priority support needs – making multiple referrals to support agencies and accommodation providers.

·       Tackle rough sleepers, many with complex needs through the supported housing scheme and tenancy support.

·       Improve access to additional housing options and the range of accommodation available including delivering new affordable homes, council-led schemes, government ‘Move-on’ funding and funding our partners to deliver housing.

Members asked questions and made comments on the following areas:

Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 – Members asked about the distinction between the three duties set out in the legislation for the way local authorities manage homelessness applications: Prevention Duty, Relief Duty and Main Duty. Head of Housing, Richard Robinson, gave an overview for the Committee and explained the main differences. Prevention Duty (provides a personalised housing plan (PHP) if anyone is threatened with homelessness and ends after 56 days if the applicant becomes homeless. The period of 56 days gave the Council longer than the previous 28 days and allowed staff to see people a lot earlier and work with them to prevent homelessness. Relief Duty follows these 56 days, when the applicant is homeless. Relief Duty ends if suitable accommodation is available  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49