To consider update on the review/update of the above strategy which incorporates the changes that have been implemented due to the Homelessness Reduction Act as well as incorporating the Rough Sleeper element as advised by Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)
Minutes:
The Operations Manager (Providing Homes) introduced the Draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy (2019-2024). Members were informed that the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy (2019-2024) was drafted following the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 and the Rough Sleeper Initiative Strategy. It was pointed out that the previous strategy covered the period up to 2020. The Operations Manager (Providing Homes) gave a presentation covering the following:
• Rationale on the Strategy update
• Aim of the strategy
• Outcomes
• Consultation and Survey
• Measures
The Operations Manager (Providing Homes) informed Members that the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 was the most extensive homelessness-related legislation change since 2002. It was reported that the Council had successfully applied for a grant from the government’s Rough Sleeper Initiative. The grant has been used to recruit a Rough Sleeper Coordinator and Support Worker. The Rough Sleeper Coordinator and Support Worker would be tasked with building trust with rough sleepers, assisting them to acquire sustainable tenancy and referring them to support groups such as the No More Service, Operation Urban and mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation charities. The annual Rough Sleeper count which was held in November 2018 advised that there were 11 known Rough Sleepers within Stevenage.
Members were informed that local authorities were now using a new statistics recording system known as H-CLIC (Homelessness Case Level Information Collection). It was noted that H-CLIC figures were not comparable with MHCLG’s previous quarterly homelessness statistics series (P1E), but they provided some new information. H-CLIC was still experiencing some data quality issues. It was reported that for the Municipal Year 2018/19, the Council had dealt with 1,268 cases involving those in need of housing advice or facing the threat of homelessness. This was a 33 % increase compared to the previous year. Through the Council’s initiatives, 73% of the cases had been prevented from becoming homeless. There was pressure on staff to resolve cases in a timely manner and where decisions had gone against the applicant, this had contributed to an increase in the number of complaints. Stevenage benchmarked its performance against local authorities in Hertfordshire and those with similar stock nationally such as Harlow. Homelessness was one of the performance themes that the Council monitored via InPhase Performance Management system.
Members highlighted the following issues:
• An increasing number of young people in the town were approaching homelessness charities
• The majority of rough sleepers were in the 20 to 40 year age bracket
The Portfolio Holder informed Members that the Council actively engaged parents to prevent children becoming homeless. It was pointed out that there were more than 2,000 applicants on the Housing Register. It was noted that the Council did not have enough suitable land for new houses. Members were informed that the rate of house building in Stevenage did not match the demand. Operations Manager advised that Local authorities will carry out an initial assessment for every person applying for assistance stating that they are or are going to be homeless. If there is reason to believe that they may be homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days the Council will carry out an assessment to determine if this is the case, and whether they are eligible for assistance. If the applicant is not eligible for assistance or if the authority is satisfied that they are not homeless or threatened with homelessness within 56 days, the Council will give a written notification of the decision reached.
In response to Members’ questions, the Operations Manager indicated that:
• The new Housing Options and Supply team had increased from 2 permanent staff (plus 8 temporary agency staff) to 10 permanent full time staff (80% increase)
• The Council did not currently routinely collect statistics of people from outside Stevenage who sought housing advice
• There will be more frequent monitoring of rough sleepers through Operation Urban and other initiatives
• Some cases of unnecessary evictions were due to the breakdown of communication between private landlords and tenants. The Council mediated in such cases to prevent homelessness
• Changes to conditions for serving Section 21 Notices should result in a reduction in unnecessary evictions
• The Council was proactive in the prevention of homelessness through support measures such as offering rent advance and participating at the Landlords’ Forum
• A statutory definition of “intentional homelessness” was provided in Housing Act 1996
• People are deemed to be “intentional homelessness” if they voluntarily give up tenancy and it would have been reasonable for them to continue to occupy the accommodation
• Residents who were evicted for anti-social behaviour or failure to pay affordable rents were declared intentionally homeless
• The Council assessed affordability of rents on a case-by-case basis
• The Council provided financial support to Herts Young Homeless – a charity aimed at preventing homelessness among young people
• The Council had an obligation to provide housing assistance to young people aged between 16 and 21
• A pathway support worker provides housing application support and debt advice to those that had been through the care system
• The Council faced a challenge with those aged between 16 and 17 as they cannot be accommodated in hotels but in self-contained temporary accommodation
• The Council automatically referred to Children Services all intentionally homelessness cases involving children
• The Council’s relationship with a lot of private landlords was generally good and most landlords were keen to assist in alleviating the housing shortage
• Plans were in place for an additional 10 to 12 temporary accommodation bed spaces between September and December this year
• The Council tries to minimise the use of bed and breakfast accommodation for people facing homelessness
• In 2018, the average bed and breakfast occupancy for the homeless was 2 days
• SBC did not routinely record enquiries from those not living in Stevenage
• Applications from those outside the town were subject to the local connection test unless the applicants were at risk of becoming homeless
It was RESOLVED that the update be noted.