Chichester District Council
Agenda item

Agenda item

Draft Homelessness Strategy 2015-2020

To approve a draft Homelessness Strategy 2015-2020 for Chichester District for consultation.

Decision:

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That the draft Homelessness Strategy 2015-2020 for Chichester District be approved for consultation.

 

(2)  That the Head of Housing and Environment Services be authorised (following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) to consider the representations arising from the consultation exercise and, provided the representations do not request significant amendments, to approve adoption (with minor amendments if considered appropriate) of the Strategy.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered the report circulated with the agenda (copy attached to the official minutes).

 

Mrs Taylor introduced the report.  She explained that the past five years had seen profound changes to the welfare and benefits system as a result of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 and the Localism Act 2011 which had created substantial challenges to a sector which in turn had had to confront a substantial reduction in resources. In addition to adjusting to the demands that were already being made, the housing sector had to plan for the social and economic effects of full implementation of Universal Credit and further proposed welfare reforms, such as the proposed capping of benefits to £23,000 per household.

 

The Homelessness Review 2015 which had recently been completed was a comprehensive review of the nature and extent of homelessness within the district and formed the basis for the Homelessness Strategy for the next five years.

 

The Strategy had five objectives as set out in the draft document. There was a strong emphasis on the prevention of homelessness, as prevention was not only financially more efficient but, more importantly, decreased the likelihood of social and medical problems as well as the occurrence of criminal activity and anti social behaviour.

 

To achieve the objectives of the strategy there was a strong emphasis on co-operation with partners, both public bodies and private organisations, to work for the benefit of the community.

 

Imaginative solutions and a pro-active approach were required to meet the future challenges. Information must be made available and communicated to all sectors of society and residents who do not normally seek help must be engaged.

 

The Homelessness Strategy would be reviewed on an annual basis.

 

At the invitation of the Chairman, Mrs Apel (Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee) explained that the Committee had considered a similar report on 2 June 2015 and supported the recommendations. She expressed concern about an apparent increase in rough sleepers in the last year.

 

Ms Grele (Housing Options Manager) replied that the Council chaired the county rough sleepers panel. The Council had clear information on who was sleeping rough and a plan for each individual. There were two outreach workers, who covered Chichester, Arun and Worthing, but it took a long time to build trust and confidence, especially with entrenched rough sleepers.

 

The Chairman asked about section 4 of the Action Plan that formed part of the Strategy, and about voids in the Council’s temporary accommodation at Westward House.

 

Ms Grele replied that there had been many voids at one time, and the Council had closed its temporary accommodation at Tatchells, Midhurst. Where there was vacant accommodation at Westward House it could be used for temporary accommodation for people for whom the Council did not have a duty to provide accommodation, but who nevertheless were in need of support.

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)        That the draft Homelessness Strategy 2015-2020 for Chichester District be approved for consultation.

(2)        That the Head of Housing and Environment Services be authorised (following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning) to consider the representations arising from the consultation exercise and, provided the representations do not request significant amendments, to approve adoption (with minor amendments if considered appropriate) of the Strategy.

Supporting documents:

 

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