Issue - meetings

To receive an update on homelessness.

The Service Manager Housing Options and Tenancy Accounts gave a presentation updating the panel on homelessness.

The presentation included:

·         Challenges to prevent homelessness: Prevention continued to be a key priority.  Understanding the reasons behind the threat of homelessness was important;

·         In August, accommodation had been secured for 6 households for 6 months or more, 3 households had accommodation secured for 12 months or more and 2 could remain in their existing accommodation for over 12 months;

·         The key reason for evictions and homelessness was increases in rent in the private sector;

·         Families in Emergency Accommodation:  The numbers remained stable.  It was desirable to limit the length of stay in emergency accommodation however, family dynamics were often complex and there was a need to balance the wishes of the family, for example being close to schools, other family members, doctors, etc against moving to alternative accommodation;

·         Budget: Expenditure was within expected targets and closely monitored.  The increase in council owned emergency accommodation had ensured costs were being maintained.  The average monthly gross spend was £121,000.  The average monthly spend for rent in advance to help secure private rented properties was £7,000;

·         Rough Sleeping: The Rough Sleeper Initiative funding was due to end in March 2025.  The current figure for known rough sleepers was 0, but this could fluctuate daily.  A physical count of rough sleepers was to be carried out later in the year where known areas for rough sleepers would be visited as well as unfamiliar parts of the District.  The results of the count were reported directly to Government;

·         Emergency accommodation statistics: In August, the number of households in emergency accommodation at the end of the month had been 59;

·         Housing Register Update: The number of applicants on the housing register was increasing month on month.  The current number was 2,061 spread across all housing bands with 36 in Band 1, for those with the highest priority.  Three households had been housed from Band 1 in August.  All vacant properties were allocated as quickly as possible, this however, needed to be balanced against the type of accommodation, as it was important it met the needs of the tenant;

·         Homes for Ukraine:  54 families remained with hosts.  10 were living in LAHF properties.  46 families had been helped into the private rented sector.  All hosts currently receive thank you payments from Hampshire County Council, but the future of these payments was uncertain and there was a risk of future homelessness.  The Council had good processes and procedures in place, if required;

·         Ex offender accommodation: The national prison release scheme placed a pressure on Councils to provide additional accommodation.  However out of the 150 released in the south central area, only three had been received in the District.  The Panel noted that there was an ongoing scheme with a target of housing 24 ex offenders in the District within 2 years.  In the last year, 18 had been housed.