There will be a discussion on Homelessness work within communities.
Minutes:
Gary Freestone, Homelessness Services Manager, was present at the meeting, and provided the following information:
· The Dawn Centre was built 10 years ago specifically for the homeless population, and had 44 en-suite bedrooms for adults;
· The Centre was designed as a one stop shop – anyone on site can access health / mental health services – CPNs same day;
· Anyone that presents themselves to the Dawn Centre is asked to register as a new person for Inclusion Health Care. The Centre also liaised with Action Homeless;
· There were dormitory facilities, which allowed the Centre to put up a further 10 people – it was not ideal, but with the rising issue of homelessness and cold weather was essential;
· The Outreach Team operated between 6.00am to 9.30pm, and received phone calls or people were referred to them;
· Not everyone who slept outside was homeless. There were people that did not want to help themselves, come into the centre or take help offered. A different model was needed, and hopefully work on the Homelessness Strategy would help;
· Safer Leicester Partnership and Turning Point looked at addressing people’s needs;
· People would need to be in receipt of Housing Benefit to be able to attend the Centre. Housing Options would make a call if a person had a connection to Leicester, otherwise, they would try to connect to the person’s own local authority;
· One resident asked if Stoneygate was over-represented with facilities for homeless persons, and information would be brought to the next meeting;
· Action Homeless were present at the meeting. It was noted the team worked closely with the Dawn Centre and had 30 rooms at St James Terrace;
· One Roof had three houses where people could be placed, with support workers. The organisation relied on donations.
Members noted that the work officers were doing at the Dawn Centre was important and valued, and that it was not an easy environment to work in. It was hoped that improvements would be made to communicate information to people.
Friends of Prebend Gardens informed the meeting that following the recent death, the police wanted to close the gardens due to the issues that occurred there. A Parks manager had objected, as there was a balance between closing a community venue, and tackling the issues. A site visit had taken place on 16 February with the Parks Team to discuss short and long term measured. It was agreed that hedges would be removed. The Trees and Woodland Team had also recommended the removal of some trees, due to a subsidence claim from neighbouring properties.
The CCTV was currently above the tree canopy. The police and ASB Unit would look to move the CCTV to allow direct views. Four benches in the park had been removed where street drinkers congregated. A consultation would take place with local residents to ask what they would like to see on the site, with the proposal that Section 106 monies be used. Longer term planning designs would be shared with residents, who were encouraged to respond to the consultation mail drop.
An update on Prebend Gardens would be brought to the next Ward Meeting.
Residents expressed concern that families not meeting the criteria to be considered homeless very often were missed for assistance and accommodation, for example, if they left a property due to trouble with a landlord. It was stated there was a problem in Leicester, and that housing in Highfields should be used for families and not converted into HMOs. It was noted the Assistant Mayor for Housing was looking at that particular issue.
The Chair requested the housing stock in the Ward (private / rented / HMOs) be looked at and shared at the next Ward meeting.