Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

The Head of Housing presented the report on the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024. Members were informed that the Council had a statutory duty to review its housing strategy at least every five years. The Cabinet in January 2021 had approved going to consultation on a new draft Strategy and following that process the final version of the Strategy was being reported back for approval and adoption.

The focus of the draft strategy was on homelessness prevention and the scope of the strategy and its key objectives were developed following early stage consultation with key stakeholders. The strategy set out overarching strategic objectives and priorities and incorporated an action plan to deliver outcomes linked to the priorities.

Members were assured that where the Council had a duty to house people it would do so.

The action plan was broken down into the following areas:

•           Tackling Homelessness Together

•           Enhanced Accommodation Options

•           Using Resources Effectively

•           Improving Options for Homeless Households

•           End Rough Sleeping

Members discussed the importance of the Council developing its own high standard temporary accommodation and the need to have permanent accommodation options for households to move on to in due course. As the need for permanent accommodation exceeded the Council’s available supply this would include working with private landlords to provide accommodation and taking ensuring affordable rents.

In respect of rough sleepers the Council had found accommodation for 6 of the 7 found during the last count. The Council worked with groups such as Porchlight to ensure support was provided those in need of it.

Members discussed the 6 week national legal standard on homeless families with children staying in bed and breakfast and the Head of Housing advised that homeless families rarely reached that limit in practice.

It was moved by Councillor S H Beer, duly seconded and

RESOLVED:   That it be recommended to Cabinet that paragraph 2.1 of the Action Plan be amended to set the maximum duration for stay in bed and breakfast accommodation for families with children, and 16-17 year olds, from a maximum of 6 weeks to either a maximum of 6 days or to an achievable significant reduction on 6 weeks.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Housing.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Housing and Health

It was agreed that the adoption of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2024 be approved.