Issue - meetings

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Cabinet approves and recommends to Council a supplementary budget of up to £1.3m for additional homelessness costs for 2022/23.

2.     That the Cabinet approves the recruitment of 2 additional temporary homelessness posts at a maximum of £92,000 inc. on costs per annum.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

As set out in the report.

KEY DECISION:

Report to Cabinet and Full Council.

PORTFOLIO:

Housing and Homelessness Services.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED/REJECTED:

As set out in the report.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST(S):

None.

DISCUSSION:

The Portfolio Holder introduced the report and acknowledged the significant pressures being placed on homelessness services.  This was both a local and national issue and the extra resources recommended in the report would be used to support vulnerable residents.  A robust Action Plan had been developed to set out how the Council would tackle existing pressures, including the use of emergency accommodation, access to accommodation in the private rented sector, and early intervention to prevent homelessness.

The Service Manager - Housing Options, Rents, Support and Private Sector Housing reported that the demand for homelessness services had increased over the calendar year.  In particular, there had been an increase in families being evicted from private rented housing, whilst there were increasing challenges to securing alternative accommodation in the private rented sector.  The Action Plan proposed within the Cabinet report would address the current issues the homelessness team were facing as well as future demand.

Members spoke in support of the recommendations.  The work of the Homelessness Task and Finish Group was cited in that significant progress had been made over the last few years, to provide additional temporary accommodation for vulnerable homeless people. 

Members highlighted the need to secure more social housing properties, rather than relying on bed and breakfast and temporary accommodation. 

In response to a question about the two additional temporary homelessness posts, it was confirmed that these positions would be reviewed, should they be required beyond the proposed two-year period.

It was recognised that the Homes for Ukraine Scheme had placed additional pressures on the District Council with the initial six-month placement coming to an end and combined with the increase in homelessness, additional resources were required to meet this demand. 

Members felt that in addition to the provision of accommodation, support was also required, such as counselling and liaison with other services, to address the problems associated with homelessness.  Members praised the work of officers in the homelessness team and cited examples of the cases within their wards.

Finally, the Leader paid tribute to those in the Housing Development Team who had been looking at opportunities to provide more affordable housing in the District.