Issue - meetings

As part of the council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028, an Action Plan was produced detailing key projects and aims to be taken or delivered by the Service during the five years, that will ensure the delivery of our key objectives.

Recommendation

That the Committee to review and note the Year One Review of the council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028 Action Plan.

The Strategic Housing Manager introduced the report.

Members inquired about the frequency of housing surveys and the impact of delayed homelessness prevention projects. Officers responded by highlighting that the Council have a  statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness and this was being delivered at a high level, citing successful outcomes from the previous year, including 145 of the 472 homelessness applications received in the past year by the council being prevented, representing a 31% success rate in the prevention of homelessness. Officers also informed members that positive feedback on the council’s performance in this area had been received from MHCLG.

Officers confirmed that these two projects were intended to go above and beyond our statutory duty to prevent and relieve homelessness and, despite delays in two specific projects aimed at further assistance, officers reassured members that significant progress has been made, and these projects will be delivered within the year.

Members emphasised the need for effective collaboration to prevent evictions. Officers responded to this to confirm that whilst a protocol has not yet been agreed with the Registered Providers within the district, this does not mean that successful partnership work is not undertaken with them and confirmed that the council consistently work in partnership with the Registered Providers in the district on a number of projects.

Councillor Steve Drury moved the recommendation as set out in the report, seconded by Councillor Chris Lloyd.

On being put to the committee the motion was declared CARRIED by the Chair, the voting being by general assent.

Resolved:

That the Committee to review and note the Year One Review of the Council’s Housing, Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2023-2028 Action Plan.