Agenda item

The report provides an update for members of the service provision for residents who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in Northumberland providing an outline of the key data and the services available for people sleeping rough. 

Vicki Flint, Homelessness and Housing Options Manager was in attendance and provided an update on the service provisions for residents who were homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in Northumberland.

The Council’s Homelessness Strategy detailed 5 key strategic priorities for the delivery of homelessness and housing options support for Northumberland residents.  Since that strategy had been published, national policy had impacted upon the services provided.

The Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 – transformed the way homelessness services were delivered and introduced new duties. 

The Homelessness Code of Guide 2018 (COG 2018) – had been published in 2018 and considered alongside the legislation when assessing applications for assistance under the Homelessness Reduction Act.

The Government’s Rough Sleeping Strategy 2018, set out the 2027 vision to support every person sleeping rough.

The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 came into force in April 2021.  The Act aimed to further improve the effectiveness of the justice system in providing protection for victims of domestic abuse.

The Council’s new draft Homelessness Strategy, Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy for Northumberland 2021-2024, set out the priorities and future actions for tackling homelessness over the next three years.  The priorities were listed in the report.

Current Council Provision – Housing Services currently managed 4 council owned properties, providing 32 rooms and 73 bed spaces, in addition, there were 3 self-contained flats, one in Alnwick and two in Berwick.

In addition, four additional properties had been acquired from Bernicia, specifically to support households who required temporary accommodation.

In 2020, Government funding was successfully obtained under the Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI) for three further properties and a Tenancy Support Officer.

Commissioned Provision – with the enactment of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017, it had been recognised that there was a requirement for increased availability of temporary accommodation for clients with complex needs.

Figures for rough sleeping in the county were reported to Government on an annual basis in the Autumn.  The count takes place on one night and partner organisations are asked to report how many people are found rough sleeping on that day.  The official annual count in 2020/21 identified 6 rough sleepers and in 202122 the number had been 4.

The table on page 39 of the report outlined the reasons for homelessness.

In response to members comments, Ms Flint responded as follows:-

·       It had been a very difficult time during Covid with an embargo on evictions.  There had been a big push to get rough sleepers into accommodation but they could not be forced to go into accommodation and could only be advised of the options.

·       Very often the Service would visit outreach services.

·       Sometimes people were frightened and the accommodation did not work out well for them.

·       The Homelessness Reduction Act placed a duty and people were encouraged to go into accommodation.

·       The Team was under pressure and totally reliant on the Homelessness Grant.  People came from different backgrounds and countries.

·       The Team worked closely with the Armed Forces Outreach Officer, who provided support to get people into accommodation.

·       Male victims were offered support by Harbour who provided support to male domestic abuse victims.

·       The Temporary Accommodation Team provided benefit support and also helped with Homefinder.  The Homeless Officer helped with applications.

·       The bidding system was choice-based lettings.  Different ways were being looked at to get people moved through the system quickly.

·       No homelessness duty meant that the Local Authority did not have a duty to re-house those applicants.

·       Applications were closed if a person had been given advice and then cancelled the application.

The Chair stressed that it was important that people understood they could get in touch and access advice.

The Officer was thanked for her report.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.