Issue - meetings

This briefing paper provides the Panel with an overview of the schemes available and their target client group. 

The Head of Housing introduced this report to the Panel, he explained that the Council, working with partners, ensures the provision of a wide range of supported housing schemes and assistance designed to provide high quality housing solutions for vulnerable residents. He stated that the schemes are directly provided by the Council, or more usually commissioned by the Council and delivered by partners. He added that many of the schemes have a targeted client group, such as: young people; older people; learning disability; rough sleepers etc. 

He informed the Panel that the provision can be usefully split into the following groups, albeit with some overlap:

(1)  Supported Housing Schemes

These are housing schemes that provide on-site support in addition to accommodation.  The scheme is usually targeted towards a specific client group, such as, young people, rough sleepers etc.  Examples of these schemes include: The Foyer Project; Dartmouth Temporary Accommodation Scheme; Platform for Life etc.

The support is usually funded in one of three ways: through an additional charge on the rent and paid by the tenant, usually via housing benefit; paid for directly by the Council to the provider; or paid as part of the rent. The latter can usually only be achieved through upfront capital investment by the Council, so that the rent is not used to service purchase debt.  An example of this arrangement is Platform for Life.  This scheme used a successful bid for Government funding to purchase 5x shared properties for young people.  As there is no debt to service the rent can be used solely for support, property maintenance and management costs.

(2)  Non-supported Housing Schemes

These are housing schemes designed and targeted towards a specific client group, but without on-site support.  The occupier may already be receiving support through existing mechanisms.  Many of the learning disability schemes follow this model.

(3)  Other forms of assistance

This includes all other non-scheme based housing support.  Examples include help and assistance (including financial support) for homeless households to securing suitable accommodation and also to enable vulnerable residents to continue to live in their own homes. 

He said that across these schemes that around 280 units were available across the Council.

Councillor Rob Appleyard asked if the number of bed spaces was greater than 280.

The Head of Housing replied that the number of bed spaces could be higher with some units accounting for families / shared accommodation.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the extra 20 dormitory beds made available for rough sleepers between November – March could be extended.

The Team Manager, Strategy & Performance replied that this provision is only in place for the colder weather months through central government funding. She added that these beds were full or nearly full most nights.

The Head of Housing added that he appreciated the concern raised by Councillor Hardman, but said that people using this provision are encouraged to engage with Julian House about their future housing options.

Councillor Barry Macrae noted the officer’s success in bidding for funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41