Agenda item
HOMELESS SCRUTINY REVIEW ACTION PLAN
Minutes:
The Committee heard a presentation from Rafiqul Hoque, Service Manager Housing Options and Seema Chote, Housing Options Manager, on the Homeless Scrutiny Review Action Plan.
Key points from the presentation included:
· A working group within Housing Options has been formed to implement the Housing Reduction Act 2018, which will come into force from April 2018.
· Preventing homelessness has become a statute in law.
· A personalised housing plan will be created for people in risk of homelessness. A fresh approach will be required to support people in sustaining their tenancy or to provide secure accommodation.
· Staff will be required to do a homelessness assessment and a face to face interview with homeless people.
· Housing Options will be delivering to staff motivational interview training.
· Greater working with the voluntary sector to provide frontline services, information on benefits and finding employment.
· There will be a greater emphasis in recording feedback on what is working and what could be improved.
Questions and comments from Members.
Members asked for clarification on recommendation 9, page 21 of the pack, because it seemed to contradict itself. It stated that those in rent arrears would be considered intentionally homeless but then went on to say that those tenants who signed a tenancy unaware it was unaffordable would not be considered intentionally homeless.
Mr Hoque said that if a tenancy was approved after the Council had done an assessment and it was later discovered the tenant could no longer afford to live in the property, they would not be deemed intentionally homeless as the fault would lie with the Council in not assessing them properly. He went on to say the Council had a duty to support anyone in danger of becoming homeless whether that is to provide advice on money, benefits or issues with their landlord.
A Member raised a concern saying that in their ward they had seen previously decanted buildings being used for temporary accommodation for homeless families. Mr Hoque assured Members that there are quality checks performed on the suitability of the accommodation and some funding available to bring the accommodation up to standard.
Officers confirmed that the Housing Reduction Act is planned to come into force from April 2018 and that the Government will be providing local authorities with transitional money to facilitate implementation.
ACTION: for the Committee to receive an update on the Homeless Reduction Act and Action Plan six months after implementation. Elizabeth Bailey, Senior Strategy Policy and Performance Officer, to add to the Forward Plan.
Members wished to know what role the Council would play in conflicts between tenants and private landlords. Officers said that the Council has a duty to mediate with both the landlord and tenant to come to a resolution.
With regard to street homelessness, Officers confirmed that the new Act requires the team to provide rough sleepers with a personalised housing plan. They said the borough may see an increase in rough sleepers who wish to access the service. In order to facilitate greater access, the reception areas of the service will provide resources such as access to advisors and telephones to make enquires.
RESOLVED
To note the report and action plan.
Supporting documents:
- Challenge session progress update - Homelessness, item 7. PDF 182 KB
- APPENDIX 1 - Homelessness Scrutiny Review - action plan, item 7. PDF 148 KB