Issue - meetings

This report sets out any significant national and local changes since the publication of the Homelessness Strategy 2013-18 ‘A City Partnership to prevent homelessness’. It also addresses a number of areas for improvement which were identified during an assessment of the homeless service as part of the national “Gold Standard” challenge.

Resolved:

(i)           That the report, which contains national and local changes since the publication of the Homeless Strategy in 2013 and takes account of consultation findings, be agreed and published.

(ii)          That the updated action plan which will run alongside the current Homelessness Strategy 2013-18, ‘A City Partnership to prevent homelessness’, be adopted and published.

(iii)        That Member commitment to the principle of preventing homelessness, tackling the causes of homelessness and ensuring that City of York provide an appropriate service to meet the statutory requirement under Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Act 2002 be confirmed.

Reason: The Homelessness Strategy is a legal requirement.  The Local Authority has a statutory duty to provide advice, and information services to anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness.  The local Authority has a duty to provide temporary accommodation to homeless households (criteria apply under Housing Act 1996).  A review is necessary to incorporate current trends, legal changes, financial constraints and service requirements.

The Executive Member considered a report that set out any significant national and local changes since the publication of the Homelessness Strategy 2013-18 ‘A City Partnership to prevent homelessness’. It also addressed a number of areas for improvement which were identified during an assessment of the homeless service as part of the national ‘Gold Standard’ challenge.

Officers gave an update and confirmed it was a legal requirement to have a homeless strategy. The strategy would give a framework for CYC Homeless Services and partner agencies to work together to improve services and tackle homelessness in York until 2018.

Officers confirmed they were committed to retaining a quality statutory homeless service by ensuring there was a range of homeless prevention tools and a range of supported housing to help people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.

The Executive Member thanked officers and agreed to accept the recommendations listed in the report.

Resolved:

(i)           That the report, which contains national and local changes since the publication of the Homeless Strategy in 2013 and takes account of consultation findings, be agreed and published.

(ii)          That the updated action plan which will run alongside the current Homelessness Strategy 2013-18, ‘A City Partnership to prevent homelessness’, be adopted and published.

(iii)        That Member commitment to the principle of preventing homelessness, tackling the causes of homelessness and ensuring that City of York provide an appropriate service to meet the statutory requirement under Housing Act 1996 and Homelessness Act 2002 be confirmed.

Reason: The Homelessness Strategy is a legal requirement.  The Local Authority has a statutory duty to provide advice, and information services to anyone who is homeless or at risk of homelessness.  The local Authority has a duty to provide temporary accommodation to homeless households (criteria apply under Housing Act 1996).  A review is necessary to incorporate current trends, legal changes, financial constraints and service requirements.