Issue - meetings

To note the review of the homeless strategy and approve the contents of the  strategy that will cover the period between 2008 and 2013. The strategy is required to be submitted to Communities and Local Government by the end of July 2008.

Advice of Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to endorse the draft Homeless Strategy and recommend it to the Executive for approval.

Decision of Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      In accordance with the legal requirement for the Council to have a Homeless Strategy.

Members considered a report which sought endorsement of a draft York Homeless Strategy for the period 2008-2013, following a review of the 2003/08 Strategy.  A copy of the draft Strategy was annexed to the report.

The over-arching aspiration of the Strategy was to eradicate the use of emergency accommodation and move away from a reactive approach to homelessness.  It included four key strands - Partnership working; Advice and information and prevention; Accommodation; Support Services.  An action plan set out what was required over the next five years to achieve the aims of the Strategy.  Development of the Strategy had been overseen by a Homeless Strategy Steering Group, with a membership reflecting the wide range of services involved.  This group would also be responsible for monitoring the action plan.

It was noted that the draft Strategy at Annex 1 was a working version that still contained some gaps in relation to certain statistics.  An updated version had been prepared for referral to the Executive.

Advice of Advisory Panel

That the Executive Member be advised to endorse the draft Homeless Strategy and recommend it to the Executive for approval.¹

Decision of Executive Member

RESOLVED: That the advice of the Advisory Panel be accepted and endorsed.

REASON:      In accordance with the legal requirement for the Council to have a Homeless Strategy.