Agenda item

This report stated that the Council had developed a new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy to take account of major changes in the housing sector and legislative changes, including the Homelessness Reduction Act 2017. The draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy was approved for public consultation by Housing Committee on 10 October 2018. The consultation had now been completed and a revised draft was attached for the Housing Committee’s consideration at appendix 1, along with a summary of the consultation outcomes at appendix 2.

The Chairman expressed concern that only 51% of consultees felt that the Council worked well with partner organisations and pointed out that the Council had started to work with the Homelessness Forum to redress this.

Councillor Teare suggested the introduction of Training Flats, similar to the scheme for rough sleepers. This was welcomed by the Committee and Officers agreed to take this on board.

Concerns were raised about the 5 year rule, which often prevented people from qualifying for Council housing.

Concerns were also raised about private short-term tenancies and it was noted that the Council had responded to Government consultation regarding this.

Councillor Houston felt that the aim to reduce the number of households in Temporary Accommodation by a third should be increased to two thirds.

It was pointed out that Council Officers worked in tandem with Barnet Homes on this target, which was already a challenge.

Councillor Smith raised concerns about people falling into debt and asked what action was being taken to assist people.

In response to Councillor Smith, Officers reported that they were working closely with Council Tax colleagues on the general issue of debt, to try and assist people and that reports would be submitted to Policy and Resources Committee. The Revenue and Benefits Team would also be working closely with the Welfare Reform Team. The Deputy Chief Executive agreed to email Councillor Smith with more details regarding debts.

Councillor Naqvi asked if the grant, awarded to the Council for homelessness was ringfenced.

Officers replied that the Council had to develop an action plan for this expenditure, which would have to be signed off by the relevant Government Department.

Members also raised concerns about the Discharge of Duty, with regard

to refusing a property and if there was an appeal process. Consequently, Officers confirmed that there was an appeal process.

Prior to voting on the substantive recommendation in the report, Councillor Houston moved that that the following on page 128 of the agenda:

“Our overall aim is to reduce the number of households in Temporary Accommodation by a third from 2,579 in 2018 to 1,750 by 2024” be amended to read:

“Our overall aim is to reduce the number of households in Temporary Accommodation by two thirds from 2,579 in 2018 to 860 by 2024”

A Vote was taken as follows:

The motion was lost.

The Committee voted on the on the recommendation in the report to approve the revised Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy at appendix 1 of the report:

RESOLVED that the revised Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy at appendix 1 of the report be approved.

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