Agenda item

To receive an update on homelessness.

The Panel received a presentation on homelessness which is attached to the minutes as an Appendix.

239 placements had been made into Emergency Accommodation since March 2020.  46 households were currently living in external emergency accommodation, which was 10 less (after new cases had been taken into account) than previously reported at the last Panel meeting in March.  The majority of these households had accommodation lined up for them to move in to, which included the 9 families moving into the Council’s private sector leased accommodation.  Officers had been successful in moving households on within 56 days of becoming homelessness with 132 applicants securing accommodation for 6 or 12 months between May 2020-May 2021.

The housing team had also been successful in preventing homelessness for 255 households over the last year.  This had been carried out by securing accommodation in the private rented sector, assisting with deposits or rent in advance, helping with debt management or working with the landlords to resolve any problems.  Members noted that the ban on evictions from accommodation had ended and that contact from tenants threatened with homelessness had continued throughout the pandemic enabling the Council’s homelessness Prevention Officers to find alternative accommodation in order to avoid a rise in the number of people presenting themselves to the Council as homeless.

The Tourlands scheme for rough sleepers had accommodated 3 rough sleepers to date.  The first resident was expected to move into Blease Court, Lymington on Friday and would be assisted with supporter workers. 

The Council had been successful in securing a £300,000 bid to support rough sleepers.  This would continue to fund the housing support team for a further year, £33,000 was to help to move on rough sleepers, as well as new funding to appoint a mental health nurse and a new Rough Sleeper Prevention Worker.  Transformation work across Hampshire continued to bring health and housing together, working with GP’s and mental health services.

Members noted the statistics within the presentation of those on the housing register and lettings figures.  Council properties had been made available to people within all four housing bands.

In response to a member question about the next meeting of the Multi-Agency Forum, it was noted that this Forum and a new Landlord Forum was anticipated to be held face to face in the Autumn following the relaxation of restrictions.  The Multi-Agency Forum had previously received good attendance and the benefits of meeting face to face were recognised, enabling free interaction.  The new Landlord Forum would focus on the work identified in the various strategies which had been adopted by the Council to improve the relationship with landlords and lettings agents, to educate and ensure they were aware of their responsibilities.  It was anticipated that the Council would promote a campaign, “Call before you serve”, which would encourage landlords to contact the Council prior to serving any notice to evict their tenants.

Members noted that there had been an increase in the number of housing register applications for housing.  It was acknowledged that following the change to the housing allocation policy in January 2020, the number on the register had significantly reduced initially and this rise in number was not unexpected.  Officers would continue to work with the private rented sector to find affordable housing for residents as well as continue to seek to provide further affordable housing through the Housing Strategy.

In response to a member question regarding working with neighbouring authorities, it was noted that officers had been working with colleagues at Test Valley, Southampton City Council as well as NHS Primary Care to share knowledge and local expertise, enabling a greater understanding on the flow of rough sleepers and their needs.   Members noted that the coronavirus pandemic had positively contributed to developing and enhancing relationships with other authorities.