Agenda item

The Director of Housing submits a report to the Housing Scrutiny Commission for comment on the first 24 months since the Homelessness Strategy was fully implemented.

The Director of Housing submitted a report to the Housing Scrutiny Commission for comment on the first 24 months since the Homelessness Strategy was fully implemented. Caroline Carpendale, Head of Service, summarised the report on a service which dealt with complex problems and was seeing an increase in demand.

Members heard there was an emphasis of moving from crisis management. Successful prevention work and support had increased in line with demand. The Commission noted that one reason for homelessness was the loss of assured shorthold tenancies and more evictions in the private sector, coupled with less private accommodation and a reduced number of council properties available for let due to Right to Buy sales. It was also noted that the numbers of people on the housing register continued to increase, with most applicants having little or no prospect of receiving accommodation as the housing list was based on housing need and was not a waiting list.

It was noted that Housing First continued to focus on helping people into permanent housing accommodation who would otherwise have been moved into crisis temporary accommodation. The objectives of the homeless strategy included the ‘No Second Night Out’ initiative for rough sleepers.

Members heard that Government legislation and welfare reform would present a range of  challenges. There continued to be a need for hostel bed spaces, and the focus would be on meeting the needs of those who required accommodation support, and to move those that did not need this type of support into housing accommodation.

The service would continue to monitor and review the strategy, including eligibility criteria for those wanting to access temporary accommodation. It was also recommended to review the Housing Register by considering a modification to bandings, and eligibility of those on the register. Stakeholders would be consulted on the proposed restructuring of the housing register.

The Assistant Mayor for Housing said homelessness was an emotive and sensitive issue but that the Homelessness Strategy was successful and it was the right time to review it, the results of which would shape and influence final decisions by the authority.

A Member made reference to a constituent, and questioned why, if a single person in a three-bedroom house was unsuccessful at bidding, they would be suspended and prevented from bidding for any more properties for 12 months, thus preventing another family from moving into the property. The Head of Service said each case was looked at on an individual basis. Each candidate was given three choices (offers), and if they were not taken, these were considered to be refusals. The Chair requested the Head of Service look at ways in which more offers could be made without disqualification from making new applications for another year.

Members referred to the local housing allowance rates that had been frozen since 2014, and identified the increase in private sector rents as an area of concern. They also referred to private sector landlords refusing to house those in receipt of housing benefit, which reduced the stock of available housing. The Head of Service said the allowances were set nationally. She added that the service was awaiting clarification on whether supported accommodation would be subject to the Local Housing Allowance Cap which would be applied in April 2017. If supported housing rents were affected, the service would have to look at whether continuation of temporary accommodation schemes was viable. The Chair suggested the Housing Scrutiny Commission write jointly with the Assistant Mayor for Housing to the government to press for speedy request for clarification.

In response to a question, the Head of Service confirmed there would be a review of the Housing Register, as the housing environment had changed over the past 10 years, and managing customer expectations was a priority. It was an administrative burden managing 11,000 applications with very limited resources. It was also known that people on the lower bands were unlikely to receive any offers of housing, and would need to seek alternative housing. In May 2014 the service stopped accepting applications from individuals who were adequately housed, but existing applicants were not removed from the list. The Chair requested that any recommendations following the review of the Housing Register be brought before the Commission at a future meeting.

Members said they had assisted applicants with the bidding process, but it had been unclear which level of priority (banding) had applied to them. The Head of Service said the new system (Northgate) should be showing banding information, and she would investigate why it wasn’t. The Head of Service would also provide information on the different levels of priority.

It was noted that between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016, 7,298 of calls relating to homelessness and urgent advice enquiries had been transferred to the Emergency On-Call Team in Housing Options. The Head of Service informed the Commission that it was not intended to channel shift the service, and the emergency duty team would remain accessible and in place, as some callers required urgent, specialist advice on the day. The service would, however, channel shift some routine services, for example, changes to applications, and there was a vulnerable inclusion strategy for people who couldn’t self-serve.

The Head of Service informed the meeting that STAR provided essential support to vulnerable tenants, for example, providing emotional support for those going to court. On a quarterly basis, information provided by STAR on all outcomes of prevention work was reported to government.

In response to a question, the meeting was informed the service was looking to reduce the cycle of homelessness, for example, repeat stays in hostels, and were looking at providing a support plan to break the cycle, by looking at other solutions, including independent living and supported living schemes. There were also robust procedures in place to manage homeless young people of 16-17yrs, with joint assessments between Housing and Children’s Services to deal with safeguarding concerns. A plan would be developed for care leavers prior to them reaching 18 years. Some care leavers would move on to supported living, and some on to independent living. The YMCA was also used as a specialist young person accommodation provider, with wrap around services to support young people.

Members referred to the proposed reduction of 60 units of internal provision of supported housing for single people, and cost of independent accommodation and floating support services. The Head of Service stated it was a proposal which would mitigate some of the risks of the potential capping of rents. Information was currently being worked upon as part of the proposal, and would be provided to the Commission when available.

Attention was drawn to Appendix 9 of the report. As part of the Housing Spending Review Phase 3, (proposals for a review of the eligibility criteria and a reduction in accommodation based support), two options to achieve savings had been outlined in the report. The Assistant Mayor for Housing informed the Commission the Executive had taken the advice of officers and were not considering Option 1, and Option 2 would go out to consultation. He added the work proposed would be brought back to the Housing Scrutiny Commission prior to any decision on the final proposal being considered by the Executive.

A Member questioned how the service could reduce the total spend on Bed and Breakfast (B&B) accommodation. The Head of Service responded that for the financial year 2016/17 only £4,000 had been spent as B&B accommodation was used as a last resort, and its use could only be prevented if people contacted the service early.

The Chair asked for ongoing updates on the strategy.

AGREED:

that:

1.    The report be noted;

2.    The Housing Scrutiny Commission write jointly with the Assistant Mayor for Housing to the government to press for speedy request for clarification;

3.    The Head of Service to bring any recommendations following the review of the Housing Register before the Commission at a future meeting.

4.    The Head of Service to investigate the new system Northgate and the provision of banding information to ensure it was visible to applicants;

5.    The Head of Service to provide information on the different levels of priority (banding).

6.    The Head of Service to look at ways in which more offers could be made without disqualification from making new applications for another year.

7.    The Head of Service to provide information to the Commission when available on the costs of independent accommodation and floating support services to individuals as part of the reduction of 60 units of supported housing.

8.    The Head of Service to provide an update to the Scrutiny Commission at a future meeting, following consultation on proposals for a review of the eligibility criteria and a reduction in accommodation based support.