Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval of the Homelessness Strategy 2017-21 prior to its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the Homelessness Strategy, ahead of its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee in January 2018, and implementation up to 2021.

In the absence of Councillor Bobby Feeley, Councillor Tony Thomas introduced the report seeking Cabinet approval of the Homelessness Strategy 2017-21 prior to its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee.  The Strategy outlined the plans and actions of the Homelessness Prevention Team (and its partners) in tackling homelessness and its causes.

The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 required local authorities to carry out a review of homelessness in their area and develop a Homelessness Strategy based on the review findings.  The Strategy detailed six strategic priorities over the next four years to tackle, and ultimately end, homelessness in Denbighshire with a strong commitment to early intervention and prevention.  The Strategy had been developed following extensive consultation and had been considered at Partnerships Scrutiny Committee in November when it was recommended to Cabinet for adoption.

Cabinet discussed the report with officers and were keen to understand the impact of welfare reform on homelessness and how Denbighshire compared nationally given the growing pressures and high demand for services together with measures to tackle specific problems, including the impact on young people and families.

In response to questions officers –

·        confirmed that in areas where universal credit had been rolled out there had been a big impact and the Homelessness Prevention Team, along with partners, were working to identify those groups affected in order to mitigate those changes as far as possible and provide advice and support at an early stage

·        in terms of general demand it was difficult to compare figures given recent legislative changes but there remained a high demand which was difficult to meet in some cases

·        elaborated upon the reduced use of bed and breakfast accommodation for young people following development of the Young People’s Positive Pathway in favour of more suitable temporary accommodation and different options

·        emphasised the importance of the private rented sector in meeting housing needs and the development of a landlord offer, including landlord incentives, to increase the provision of housing available to individuals and families who were homeless or threatened with homelessness

·        discussed the challenges of communicating with the ‘hidden homeless’ and those who did not recognise their status or did not wish to engage with the service – much was being carried out through various outreach programmes and responding with flexible services led by the needs of individuals; web based self-help tools provided another avenue for those who did not wish to engage

·        the increased costs following implementation of the Housing Act 2014 had been recognised by Welsh Government in the funding provision for the next year

·        the main basis of the Strategy was the homelessness review undertaken in 2016 which was very comprehensive and a key driver in what was required locally whilst at the same time meeting the legal requirements of the Act

·        elaborated upon the strong links between departments, particularly Planning and Public Protection, who had regulatory control of property standards and landlords and had driven up quality and expectations

·        acknowledged that early intervention was key and reported upon steps to engage with individuals and families at an early stage to prevent homelessness, which in future would include a physical presence on the doorstep

·        clearer reference to local connection criteria had been included in the Strategy at the request of Partnerships Scrutiny Committee and a copy of the SP Reconnection Guidance could be made available to members on request

·        confirmed that the lack of direct payments to landlords had resulted in some reluctance to provide accommodation hence the need to consider landlord incentives as part of future developments

·        as part of plans to prevent youth homelessness education work in schools and other youth provision would be commissioned to raise awareness of the available housing options and the reality and risks of homelessness and officers also provided an explanation of emergency respite accommodation available

·        in terms of future monitoring officers confirmed that a progress report on the implementation of the Strategy and delivery of the Prevention Action Plan would be submitted to Partnerships Scrutiny Committee in May 2018.

The Legal Services Manager advised that the report had cited some repealed legislation under the power to make the decision section and the correct power was Section 50 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approves the Homelessness Strategy, ahead of its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee in January 2018, and implementation up to 2021.