Issue - items at meetings - HOUSING FIRST APPROACH AT STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Issue - meetings

HOUSING FIRST APPROACH AT STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Meeting: 08/07/2020 - Executive (Item 5.)

5. HOUSING FIRST APPROACH AT STEVENAGE BOROUGH COUNCIL IN RESPONSE TO THE ROUGH SLEEPING CRISIS pdf icon PDF 152 KB

To update the Executive on Housing First, a multi-agency approach that can be adopted to re-house the rough sleepers accommodated under the COVID-19 provision.

 

[REPORT TO FOLLOW]

Decision:

The Executive considered a report on the Housing First approach at SBC in response to the rough sleeping crisis.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People, Leisure & Culture, on behalf of his fellow Ward councillors, raised the matter of the apparent preponderance of units (including Houses in Multiple Occupation) being used in the St. Nicholas Ward for accommodating the homeless/rough sleepers, and felt that there should be a more equitable distribution of such units across the Borough.  The Chair replied that Members needed to be in possession of the full facts and evidence in respect of this issue, and asked officers to undertake some Ward mapping work and report back on the locations of such units throughout the town.

 

It was RESOLVED:

 

1.          That the support provided to homeless households during the Covid-19 lockdown and the challenges faced by the Council over the coming months ahead, as outlined in the report, be noted.

 

2.          That the current service pressures developing in the Housing and No More service within the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, which will be monitored by the Council’s Finance department and reported to the Executive as part of the quarterly budget monitoring cycle, be noted.

 

3.          That officers be requested to develop a business case for a new Housing First Model, including the potential construction of a new hostel (as outlined in Paragraph 4.24 of the report), taking into account partner support and funding requirements.

 

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.