Issue - meetings

To consider the responses received to the consultation on the proposed Strategy, together with consequent amendments to be made, and to recommend the Strategy to the Council for adoption.

RECOMMENDED:

That the updated Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, as attached as Appendix 2 to Report Item 4 to the Cabinet, be approved.

The Cabinet recalled that on 5 December 2018 (Minute 54 refers), they had recommended the Council to approve, for statutory consultation, a draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.  This consultation had run from 15 January to 20 February 2019.  Details of the consultation were set out in Section 3 of the report.  In total 24 responses had been received, including from the Council’s Tenant Involvement Group.  A summary of the responses received, together with the Council’s responses, was attached as Appendix 1 to the Report.

The Cabinet was pleased to note that 83% of the respondents had supported each of the 4 strategic priorities in the Strategy.  In response to the comments received it was proposed to add two further actions to Strategic Priority 2 to ensure that the support needed by victims of domestic abuse and also households with complex needs was identified and provided.  A further action was being added to Strategic Priority 2 to recognise hidden homelessness within households and to work with voluntary agencies to help them access assistance.  In addition, an action to support housing provision for refugees had been added to Strategic Priority 3, in accordance with the Homelessness Code of Guidance.

Members welcomed the pro-active approach that was now being taken to providing accommodation for homeless people in the District and particularly commended the recently opened accommodation at Pentagon Court in Blackfield.  Further accommodation of this type would be provided during the coming year with a view to providing better quality, more appropriate accommodation at a lesser cost than Bed and Breakfast.

The Chairman thanked the Portfolio Holder, the members of the Homelessness Task and Finish Group and the supporting officers for their hard work and dedication over the last year to achieve this outcome.  The Portfolio Holder also thanked the Task and finish Group and the officers for their hard work and support.

RECOMMENDED:

That the updated Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, as attached as Appendix 2 to Report Item 4 to the Cabinet, be approved.