To provide an update on progress with the implementation of the Recommendations resulting from the Scrutiny Committee Homelessness Consultation Event held on 17th October 2005. To review progress made in respect of homelessness prevention in Herefordshire and to consider any further related issues for scrutiny.

The Committee considered an update on homelessness and possible future issues for scrutiny.  

The report set out the background to the rise of homelessness as an issue in Herefordshire, reminded Members of the homelessness consultation event, with representatives from the Council and a range of relevant agencies across the County, held under the Committee’s auspices in October 2005, the Committee’s recommendations in response to the event in December 2005 and progress in relation to those recommendations.  It also set out at paragraph 27 a number of issues which might need to be kept under review.

The Change Manager - Homelessness presented the report.  He remarked on the progress which had been made in tackling homelessness, informing the Committee that the Council’s performance in housing prevention was now in the top quartile.  The key now was to sustain that performance and continue to manage the issues effectively.

In the ensuing discussion the following principal points were made:

·          The work of the homelessness team was praised, recognising in particular the benefits arising from the use of the Homelessness Prevention fund.  The Homelessness Manager reported that a key aspect of the fund’s success had been that by preventing people being declared homeless it had removed the stigma and changed the focus of the debate.  The emphasis now was on rehousing people and this had helped the Council to work more closely with private sector landlords and had improved access to the private rented sector.

·          Concern was expressed about the growing level of debt across the County and the potential implications of this for homelessness.

·          The work being undertaken in schools to prevent youth homelessness was welcomed.  However, it was asked why children in year 10 were being targeted rather than year 11.  The Homelessness Manager replied that national research showed that the earlier the engagement with children and families the greater the chances of preventing parental eviction when children reached the school leaving age.

·          The Change Manager - Homelessness alerted the Committee to the impact that the work to prevent homelessness was having on the Home Point system and on some other organisations.  He advised that this was something which was likely to generate further discussion in future months.

·          It was asked whether the Voluntary Sector had been helpful in addressing the issues of homelessness.  The Change Manager - Homelessness replied that the Sector had in the main been very helpful.  Some concern had been expressed to him about the changes which had been made to the Council’s approach to homelessness and the robust stance now being taken.  Further feedback from the Voluntary Sector would be welcome.

·          It was proposed that a further homelessness event with representatives from the Council and a range of relevant agencies across the County be held on the afternoon of 20th November.

RESOLVED:

That    (a)            the updated position be noted;

(b)       the Committee be kept informed of progress and developments in homelessness prevention and the work of the Homelessness & Housing Advice Steering Group;

            and

(c)        a further homelessness event be arranged on the afternoon of 20th November to review issues identified at paragraph 27 of the report.