Agenda item

This report looks at the activity governed by the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the City of York Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 in respect of the financial year 2017/18. The primary focus is to report on prevention work, the trends of statutory homelessness and rough sleepers.

Members considered a report which looked at activity governed by the Housing Act 1996, the Homelessness Act 2002 and the City of York Council’s Homelessness Strategy 2013-2018 in respect of the financial year 2017/18. The primary focus was to report on prevention work, the trends of statutory homelessness and rough sleepers.

The Assistant Director for Housing & Community Safety and the  Service Manager Housing Options and Support Team were in attendance to present the report and respond to questions from Members. They highlighted that 74% of actions in the current strategy were complete and that others had carried forward into the new document. They also clarified that many were very ambitious targets and lengthy pieces of work, such as setting up Howe Hill Hostel for Young People.

In response to Member questions Officers stated:

·        Some actions which had carried over into the new document were ‘big ticket items’ which would need several years to complete. Others were ongoing pieces of work and some could not be signed off as completed due to ever changing targets (e.g. Welfare Benefit Systems).

·        Additional funding had been sought for Mental Health Hostel Workers but this application had been unsuccessful (page 28, q.). However it was still an ambition to make some of the vacant support worker roles into Community Psychiatric Nurse posts should funding become available.

·        There had been a reduction in the number of properties managed by YorHome. This was a result of the housing crisis as several landlords had sold on houses and therefore left the scheme. However, the scheme was always looking to manage more properties.

·        Of the 15 people who were currently deemed rough sleepers, 6 or 7 had no local connection. They had all refused assistance to find homes in other areas. A bid had recently been submitted for additional funding to help tackle this issue and put alternative measures in place.

·        In relation to rough sleepers accessing primary healthcare, a recent Housing Needs Assessment which surveyed 81 people had not shown this to be an area of concern. The Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (VoY CCG) commissioned a specialist GP service to provide drop in services for these users. There were some concerns over access to dental services, foot care and eye care and this was part of ongoing work with GP’s. The Director of Public Health, who was present at the meeting, suggested that if Members became aware of individuals having problems in this area that it should be highlighted so that an investigation could be carried out.

·        The number of people in temporary accommodation was at the lowest figure in 30 years.

·        A report would be going to Executive in July/August on Housing Delivery.

·        Street Begging was an ongoing issue and not necessarily one linked to rough sleeping. This was part of the Community Safety Strategy and Neighbourhood Enforcement, BID Rangers and the Police would move people on where appropriate.

·        The merger of York Arc Light, YACRO and Changing Lives York had resulted in savings due to less duplication of staff and a reduction in Senior Management.

Members thanked Becky Ward, Service Manager Housing Options and Support Team, for her hard work as she was shortly to retire.

Resolved:  That the Committee:

a. Note the progress made by the service;

b. Agree the priorities and targets for 2018/19.

Reason:     To ensure the council continues to meet the statutory duties under Housing Act 1996 (as amended) and Homeless Reduction Act 2017) and supports the most vulnerable in society.