Agenda item

To consider an update on the Housing First approach to accommodate rough sleepers; and to consider the options for implementing the Housing First approach for the financial year 2021/2022, for the purposes of assessing its viability, beyond the current “protect directive” for the medium to long term.

The Executive considered a report which provided an update on the Council’s Housing First approach to accommodate rough sleepers, and options for implementing the Housing First approach for the 2021/22 financial year, for the purposes of assessing its viability beyond the current “protect directive” for the medium to long term.

The Executive supported an additional recommendation requesting the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health & Older People to draft a letter to the Housing Minister outlining SBC’s plans and requirement for further funding to support a sustainable model over the medium to longer term, stating that whilst the Council was grateful for the funding already received that only allowed for the provision of this offer for 12 months, and even then this was subsidised, and stressing that further funding would be required to eradicate rough sleeping in Stevenage.

The Executive further supported an amendment to Recommendation 2.2.3 in the report pointed out by the Strategic Director (CF), in that the figure of £248,381.49 for funding of the scheme from the 2021/22 Covid finance settlement should read £214,540.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That the support provided to homeless households during the Covid-19 restrictions, March – July 2020, November to December 2020 & the most recent national restrictions from January 2021 be noted.

2.          That the additional bid submission to the Government “Rough Sleeper Initiative 4” of £341,381.49 to mitigate the cost of the Housing First model relating to the period 2021/2022 be noted.

3.          That it be noted that Officers will continue to seek funding from Hertfordshire County Council and Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government to support the unfunded cost of the prevent directive.

4.          That the on-going work to implement a Housing First model that mitigates the cost to the General Fund be noted.

5.          That the allocation of the Government funding of £500,831, as set out in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 to the report, to support the homeless functions during 2020/21 and 2021/22, be approved.

6.          That the Housing First Approach for rough sleepers, for up to the next 12 months, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, be approved.

7.          That the use of up to £214,540 from the 2021/22 Covid finance settlement funding, to fund the net cost to the General Fund (subject to the level of grant funding received, as set out in Paragraph 5.1.12 of the report) for 12 months, be approved.

8.          That the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health & Older People be requested to draft a letter to the Housing Minister outlining SBC’s plans and requirement for further funding to support a sustainable model over the medium to longer term, stating that whilst the Council is grateful for the funding already received that only allowed for the provision of this offer for 12 months, and even then this is subsidised, and stressing that further funding would be required to eradicate rough sleeping in Stevenage.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report; and 8. To urge the Government to provide a longer-term sustainable funding solution for the housing of rough sleepers.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.