Agenda item

The report on Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy is attached.

Graham Sabourn, Head of Housing and Ann Robbins, Housing Strategy & Commissioning Manager introduced the report.

Panel members made the following points and asked the following questions:

Councillor O’Brien raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Concerns over estate agents discriminating against people on benefits regarding private lets.

·  Regarding the safe sleep provision (20 beds) – does this continue into the Summer? The officer explained that people are more likely to be drawn in during the colder months and opportunities for contact and support for people is maximised. The venue can only be used in the winter. It is better to contact and support people than to double the beds available.

Councillor Craig raised the issue of boaters being moved on by the Canal and River Trust and stated that the definition of homeslessness is having no permenant place of residence. The officer stated that they are aware of the difficulties of the boaters but had helped to put in place the prior notification process. The Canal and River Trust is now a charity.

Councillor Davies asked what the next steps are regarding setting qualatitive and quantitive factors. The officer explained that there is a wealth of data and would be interested in ideas of how to report this to the public to make it interesting. The officer stated that there are two important figures – the number of households in temporary accommodation and the numbers of rough sleepers. He explained that there is a better system of estimating numbers of rough sleepers now that he had more confidence in. Councillor Davies asked that the Panel be annually updated on the progress of the Strategy.

Councillor Born raised the following points – Officer responses are shown in italics.

·  Has the introduction of Universal Credit affected homelessness and rough sleeping? The officer explained that there has been a small increase but that agencies had carried out a significant amount of prevention work. Universal Credit has had an impact on national levels of rough sleeping.

·  Is there a focus on elderly rough sleepers? The officer explained there have been some examples of people moving from Manvers Street Hostel into residential care.

·  Do you have resources for dual diagnosis? The officer explained that they would find out their allocation soon.

Councillor Rigby asked what can be done for people who do not want to stay in hostels regarding support such as storage and help to register to vote. The officer explained Julian House are looking into a storage facility in their basement. There is a protocol that if any important documents are found, they are handed in at Julian House. People are also able to use Julian House as an address regarding voting.

Councillor Walker stated that Bed and Breakfasts can be a short-term solution and that we can work with private landlords. She asked if private rent allowance can lead to people becoming homeless. The officer explained that the authority has no control over local housing allowance rates but have worked with people on budgeting and Julian House run a jam jar account scheme. There is private sector training on tenancy sustainment and work with churches regarding day-care facilities.

The panel RESOLVED to:

1.  Note the contents of the Strategy as set out in the report and request an annual update;

2.  Forward the comments made above to the Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development for inclusion in the item at the Cabinet meeting on 16^th January 2020.