Agenda item

Adopting the Draft Homelessness Strategy has been identified as a ‘Key Decision’ because of community impact and is scheduled for the Council Cabinet meeting on 4 December 2013.

The Wellbeing Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel are asked to agree that the revised approach contained in the Draft Homelessness Strategy 2014-2018 which not only continues a successful provision of early interventions to prevent homelessness but also focuses on achieving a nationally accredited Gold Standard and targeting ten new local priorities:

1)  Complies with agreed Council policies and plans.

2)  Will have a positive impact on vulnerable people and reduce inequalities.

The Chairman invited Sue Wordsworth (Planning and Partnership Manager) to introduce the report.

The Chairman read out paragraph 5.2 on page 80 of the report and asked from what figure the number of households in temporary accommodation was halved.

Sue Wordsworth responded that all Local Authorities received a target, from the government, to halve the use of temporary accommodation and this Council had achieved the target.  Sue Wordsworth also said that she could not specify when the Council was set the target but it had to happen within three years of setting the target and this was achieved.

The Chairman read out paragraph 5.3 on page 81 of the report and asked what evidence the Council has that welfare reform is having an adverse effect on households at risk of homelessness.

Sue Wordsworth responded that the number of people that are approaching the housing options team for debt advice is increasing.  The other aspect is an increase in rough sleepers in B&NES.  This is because of the change in the way that rough sleepers are counted, which is believed to be more realistic.  It may also be because some other local authorities have reduced the spend on provision for rough sleepers as a result of financial pressures. 

The Chairman said that he is fully in support of the strategy.  However, the ten priorities within the strategy present a considerable challenge with the present budgetary constraints. 

Councillor Bevan asked about the change of method in counting homeless people.

Sue Wordsworth replied that the government wanted everyone in the country to count homeless people in the same way and they produce the guidelines on how to do that.  Sue Wordsworth also said that the new way of counting homeless people is much more realistic.

Councillor Jackson expressed her concern that heavily pregnant women are counted as single and treated as such.  Councillor Jackson asked if there is still a facility to help vulnerable people get settled in private accommodations.

Sue Wordsworth said that the Council still have rent deposit schemes for support for people settling in private accommodations.  The intention is to retain the scheme despite the budget pressure.  The difference between the cost of social rented housing and private rented housing is reducing as a result in changes in the social rented sector, which may be helpful.

Sue Wordsworth also said that in homelessness legislation pregnant women, as well as parents with children, have a priority need for housing.

Councillor Jackson asked if there is evidence of the bedroom tax making people homeless.

Sue Wordsworth responded that there is limited evidence at the moment.  The number of people that were predicted to be affected with the bedroom tax has reduced dramatically.  A lot of people have found ways of coping with the bedroom tax. 

Sue Wordsworth also said that all registered providers are doing their best to limit the impact on tenants.  Sue Wordsworth repeated that the Council’s funding of the rent deposit scheme does help people to access private sector housing even if they have low incomes or are dependent on benefits.

It was RESOLVED that the Panel fully supported the strategy and AGREED that the strategy will have a positive impact on vulnerable people and reduce inequalities.