Agenda item

The Council has a duty to provide temporary accommodation for people who are homeless, have a local connection, are in priority need for accommodation and who did not become homeless intentionally.  At the request of panel this report aims to provide an update on the current demands around homelessness and specifically temporary accommodation.

The Wellbeing Policy Development & Scrutiny Panel is asked to note the report.

The Chairman invited Councillor Tim Ball (Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning) and Mike Chedzoy (Housing Services Manager) to introduce the report.

Councillor Ball and Mike Chedzoy took the Panel through the report.

The Panel made the following points:

The Chairman said that personally he wanted a lot more information about ‘rough sleepers’ in the report.  The national press reported that there was 25% increase in ‘rough sleepers’.  The Chairman said that the answer to his question to Councillor Tim Ball about ‘rough sleepers’ was a little vague.  It stated that different approach was now in place – instead of counting physically the number of people sleeping rough, the approach was to make estimated guess on how many people are sleeping rough.  The Chairman also said that some data in the report was not concise.

Councillor Tim Ball said that issue about ‘rough sleepers’ is very important issue.  Councillor Ball explained that there are rules on how the count is done.  To get the actual estimate properly the Council worked with the relevant agencies.  The number is high but still well below the national average.  This option also excludes those people who live on boats and in caravans. 

Mike Chedzoy added that Local Authority should carry out the count every year.  This year the Council went to estimate on how many people sleep rough and we established we have 22 ‘rough sleepers’.  Last year there were 4 people.  Mike Chedzoy said that he led on the estimate.  Mike Chedzoy explained that it is very hard to do the count in the night.  Rules are that we have to know the name of the individual and not only as ‘man by the river’.  Those information need to be checked with Julian House as well.

The Chairman asked if we can provide adequate support now that we have more realistic figures on number of rough sleepers.

Mike Chedzoy responded that Julian House will offer the overflow for emergency accommodation.  They also have link with the YMCA.  On the first night they will have to sleep on the mattress but the next day they will be accommodated.

Councillor Tim Ball added that some people chose not to go to the hostel for their own reasons.

Councillor Jackson said that she was on one of the previous counts and understands how difficult is to count people.  Councillor Jackson expressed her concern that three people from Radstock Ward are sleeping rough and in order to get some support they will have to travel to Bath via bus.

Mike Chedzoy responded that we have dedicated phone line for support services and people would get the immediate response wherever they are. 

Councillor Tim Ball added that there is local number for Julian House and that there is also a national number released by the Government recently to assist people reporting any homeless issue.

Councillor Katie Hall asked if there are any known hotspots where 'rough sleepers' congregate over night.

Mike Chedzoy responded that this changes every year.  This year a lot of people go from to the other side of the river, towards Widcombe.  Mike Chedzoy also said that there is an issue if people are not from this area.  The Council provides services for 28 days until it is established where these people are coming from.

Councillor Hall asked how long people wait in the temporary accommodation until they are moved to permanent dwellings.

Mike Chedzoy replied if someone place homeless application then they are placed for 31 days in the temporary accommodation until they get accepted.  Some people don’t go to social housing, they are housed in private sector.

Councillor Brett asked if the impact assessment was conducted for the ‘right to buy’ and how do we fit in the national picture regarding the accommodations for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems.  Councillor Brett also asked about the current housing stock.

Councillor Tim Ball and Mike Chedzoy replied that the impact assessment was not completed for the ‘right to buy’ scheme but that it needs to be done.  The Council has specialised housing for the people with learning difficulties and mental health problems.  More information on the impact assessment on ‘right to buy’, ‘rough sleepers’, housing stock and conditions of the accommodations for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems could be submitted to the Panel at the next meeting.

The Panel welcomed that suggestion.

Councillor Jackson asked about the accessibility of the accommodations for homeless people with wheelchairs.

Mike Chedzoy replied that we have accommodations that are more accessible than they use to be and there might be an increase in number of properties which are wheelchair friendly in near future.

The Panel debated with Councillor Tim Ball the exact number of units, and how many people are housed, in the Julian House.  The Panel asked that information should be included in the report for the next meeting.

It was RESOLVED to note the report.

It was also RESOLVED to have a further report for one of the future meetings which will include the following information:

• ‘Rough sleepers’
• Impact assessment on ‘Right To Buy’ scheme
• Housing stock
• Conditions of the accommodations for people with learning difficulties and mental health problems; and

·  Number of units, and how many people are housed, in the Julian House