7
Cabinet received report ES/0162 by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing who reported that every Council was legally required to have a Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy setting out its priorities for addressing homelessness. The current Homelessness Strategy expired in 2018 and approval was given by the MHCLG to delay a new strategy because of the changes in 2018 to the homeless legislation, as well as the new council coming into existence.
The document had been written following a long consultative process with other Suffolk councils, registered providers and the voluntary sector, as well as previous users of the Council's homelessness service.
An Equality Impact Assessment had been undertaken and it had been ascertained that the Strategy would have a positive impact in addressing potential inequalities by the service being accessible to everyone and certain written ‘pathways’ bringing help and clarity for particular groups such as Care Leavers and clients with mental illness.
The Council's aim was for the Strategy to be in a clear and logical format. It considered national and local trends and pressures, reviewed the work and achievements of the two former councils, and outlined what East Suffolk Council would work towards in the next five years.
The Strategy clearly stated 17 new actions that the Housing Needs Team would work to achieve, and which would be monitored by the East Suffolk Homelessness Forum and the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing annually. The Strategy would be reviewed from time to time to time to account for changes in legislation or environmental factors impacting on the operation.
The Leader referred to the ease of read and understanding of the Strategy; he thanked officers for this.
The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Community Health referred to the excellent work undertaken within Lowestoft to support the homeless; she stated the importance of this continuing, including supporting those who did not necessarily wish to be supported. At this point the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing praised the work undertaken by officers and he gave thanks for this.
Following Councillor Deacon asking how Notting Hill Genesis fitted into the emergency hub provision for rough sleepers, the Head of Housing advised that the Council had bid earlier in the year for funding from the Government and some of that was for the rapid re-housing pathway initiative; the bulk of the funding had been used to set up two emergency hubs for rough sleepers. One had eight beds, was in Lowestoft, and was provided through Access Community Trust, and the other had one bed, was in Felixstowe, and was provided through Notting Hill Genesis.
Councillor Deacon stated that there were now two private groups operating to support rough sleepers; he asked what progress had been made in trying to ensure that they worked closely with the official support from the Access Community Trust to deal with any duplication in resources. The Head of Housing responded, stating that there was quite a lot of work going on with both of those groups and also through the Council's own Rough Sleeping Coordinator and through colleagues of Lowestoft Rising there was a lot of dialogue to try to ensure a coordinated approach was being taken. The Head of Housing acknowledged that it could be challenging at times.
Councillor Elliott stated that he welcomed the Strategy. He added that rough sleeping was not just happening in Lowestoft and Felixstowe; he was trying to provide help for two people at the moment. There were, he stated, some major obstacles to getting difficult to house people housed, particularly those who were trying to deal with mental health issues, and drug and alcohol problems. Often, Councillor Elliott stated, they did not want the interim emergency accommodation that was offered because it was too close to the sorts of things they were trying to escape from. Councillor Elliott referred to one particular section of the Strategy, which he said stood out for him, and this was "improving access to the private rented sector"; he referred to the the words "We recognise that we also need to include the private rented sector. This tenure is the most realistic way that we will be able to help accommodate those who approach us for help. Typically this will be through a mixture of loans or grants to help with upfront payments and fees, deposit bonds and guarantees to landlords. We will always ensure that accommodation offered is suitable and affordable." Councillor Elliott advised Cabinet that, often, people had the funds available to access the private rental sector, but they could not because they did not have references, identification, etc; their pasts were often chequered. Councillor Elliott asked if this approach was new, and how it would operate.
The Head of Housing, in responding, stated that this approach was not entirely new, it had been part of the previous Strategy. However, it had been made much clearer in the new Strategy. There was, the Head of Housing stated, already funding available. Referring to the references comment made by Councillor Elliott, the Head of Housing stated that officers worked hard, with landlords, to try and find creative ways around this issue. It was, she acknowledged, more difficult when managing agents were involved, but the officers worked hard to build relationships with them. Referring to Councillor Elliott's point regarding emergency accommodation sometimes being too close to the issues that people were dealing with, the Head of Housing stated that officers were developing a more diverse portfolio of accommodation to assist and have a range of options available.
RESOLVED
That the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2019-2024 be adopted by the Council and published on the Council’s website.