Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the report in the absence of the Portfolio Holder and advised that this was a joint strategy presented in partnership with the other Somerset Councils and covering the whole County area.  He noted that there were currently 5 households in the immediate emergency re-homing category, 196 in the Gold Category, and there were 2,035 in all three categories of housing need.  He said it demonstrated local need for housing and developers should be pressed to bring forward new housing.

The Case Officer for Service Delivery noted three amendments to the Equality Impact Assessment submitted with the strategy which was one of the reasons why the recommendation was to delegate the final changes to the strategy and action plan to the Director, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Housing.

The Specialist for Housing Service Delivery advised that the Somerset Housing Managers Group met monthly and the strategy and action plan had been a standing agenda item for review at each meeting.  On the Housing Register, 1030 people were in need of 1 bed accommodation and 615 were in need of 2 bed accommodation.  She said there service worked had to prevent households and individuals from becoming homeless and this was a major part of the action plan within the strategy.

In response to questions, the Housing Service Delivery Specialist advised:-

·         The requirements of the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017 had impacted on officer’s workload but more staff were now in place and new case law was being analysed to ensure SSDC complied.

·         Universal Credit meant that tenants were responsible for paying their own rent.  If a tenant was in arrears or vulnerable so they were unable to pay their landlord direct then there was a possibility to make direct payments. 

·         Priority 2 in the Strategy provided support for clients to remain in their existing accommodation where appropriate through assistance from a Private Sector Landlord Officer.

·         Private Sector Leasing had been investigated but there was a high cost to the Council plus making good any damage by tenants made it unviable.

·         The annual count of homeless people had taken place recently and there were 8 people in Yeovil, 7 of which had other options and had refused help. 

·         Information on what the public could do to help homeless people was due to be released soon.

The Director for Service Delivery said the overriding picture of the housing service was very positive and its figures for homelessness and rough sleeping was the envy of many west country councils.  The appointment system for applicants was working well and the MHCLG wished to use the work done in South Somerset as an example to other Councils.

The Chairman asked that a briefing on the Homeless and Rough Sleeper Strategy be presented to Members including the early intervention measures undertaken to prevent homelessness.  It was also requested that the details of who to contact if a Members came across a homeless person be circulated to all Members.

At the conclusion of the debate, Members unanimously agreed to adopt the Homelessness and Rough Sleeper Strategy 2019 – 2023 subject to any final changes to the strategy and action plan to be delegated to the Director, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Housing.