Agenda item

(i)              Joint Report of the Assistant Chief Executive and Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic Development.

(ii)             Presentation by the Core Team Manager, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chairman introduced the Core Team Manager, Regeneration and Economic Development, Andrew Burnip who was in attendance to speak to Members in relation to the Homelessness Strategy (for copy see file of minutes).

The Core Team Manager informed Members that the need for a Homelessness Strategy was set out within the Homelessness Act 2002 and must include plans for: the prevention of homelessness; ensuring sufficient supply of accommodation for those who are homeless or may become homeless and to prevent the loss of accommodation; ensuring there is satisfactory support for those who are homeless or may become homeless and to prevent the loss of accommodation. 

It was explained that the Homelessness Strategy 2008-13 therefore covered 3 strategic priorities: to prevent homelessness; to ensure sufficient, appropriate and affordable accommodation is available for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; and to support people who are homeless or who are at risk of repeat homelessness.

The Committee noted that following Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) there was a need to have a consistent approach across the whole County, and therefore harmonisation of the differing levels of service was undertaken.

It was noted that there were various tools and measures available, making reference to the slide setting out a “wheel of preventions”.  The Core Team Manager explained that there was a Bond Guarantee Scheme for those on low income/benefit for those accessing private sector housing, with a paper bond being issued by Durham County Council (DCC) upon inspection of a property and the requisite sign up.  It was added that a Prevention Fund also existed, a cash grant that could be used to help with administration fees or small scale rent arrears, capped at £50.  Members learned of Discretionary Housing Payments (DHPs) and a triage system helping those in need, for example those with a shortfall in rent as a consequence of under-occupancy.  It was added that the triage process also looked to help support a sustainable position, identifying issues such as debt, employment and training need and other options as regards housing.  Councillors noted that there was “Remain Safe” delivered on behalf of DCC and the Safer Durham Partnership (SDP) by Direct Services in collaboration with Crime Prevention Officers in helping to secure properties of those who have been victims of domestic violence. 

The Core Team Manager noted that peer education was important and colleagues within Children and Adults Service (CAS) were working with Housing Solutions to speak to Year 11/12 students in schools regards homelessness and the causes of homelessness.  It was added that there was the Holistic Temporary Accommodation and Support Service (HTASS), provided by Stonham on behalf of DCC, who managed 29 units of temporary accommodation.  It was explained that the provision was 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) and there were 2 and 3 bedroom units, furnished and with some with disability adaptations.  Members learned that 14 properties were “crash pads” for those 16-25 for a period of up to 14 weeks.  It was noted that there was a joint protocol in place as regards 16-17 years olds and HTASS, reflecting responsibilities under the Children Act 1989 and Homelessness Act 2002.  Councillors noted Emergency Supported Lodging was provided via CAS, often utilised by those leaving care, with around 1,200 “bed nights” offered annually.  It was noted in cases where no crash pad is available, a family that has undergone the requisite Police checks may be used to provide temporary accommodation for several weeks.

Members noted support offered by DCC Welfare Rights, in respect of benefits available and help via the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and in house specialists within Housing Solutions on issues such as debt.  It was explained that there was support to provide a Personalisation Budget, helping to sustain people in their housing by offering advice on many issues, such as cooking on a budget, to ensure enough money is set aside for rent.  Councillors noted that there was support via the Family Intervention Project (FIP) and European Social Fund’s (ESF) Stronger Families programme, identifying those at risk of eviction as a consequence of anti-social behaviour, working with families and to help provide people with issues such as basic skills, prior to accessing the Work Programme via JobCentre Plus (JCP). 

Members noted that there was the Care Leavers Accommodation Support Programme (CLASP) to help those coming to the end of their care to either extend their care/accommodation or move on.  It was explained that there was the County Court Duty Scheme, a non-funded scheme where free legal advice was offered in cases seeking possession.

The Core Team Manager explained that training was offered via Housing Solutions to various services to enable “Prevention Champions” within those services that come into contact with those likely to become homeless, giving opportunities for early intervention to prevent homelessness occurring. 

Members were reminded of the Mortgage Rescue scheme, a national scheme that was coming to an end 31 March 2014.  Councillors also noted the Repossession Loan Fund, a short term, interest free loan of up to £5,000, which could be made as a charge against the property.  The Committee noted Mediation Services that were offered, under joint protocol and “Step Forward”, another service offered by Stonham on behalf of DCC, testing the market as regards people moving from 24/7 supported housing into shared accommodation, noting 14 having been in place for around 9 months.

The Core Team Manager referred Members to graphs demonstrating trends in homelessness presentations noting an increase from 3,000 in 2009/10 to 6,200 in 2012/13.  It was added that it had been demonstrated that, via the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) self-assessment toolkit, prevention (£741) was cheaper than i Homeless applications (£924) and on the last year, preventions effectively made a saving of around £62,000.  It was noted that DCLG and Cabinet Office had undertaken studies that had shown that the wider cost of a person becoming homeless to the economy was between £24,000 to £30,000, equating to approximately an effective £84.5 million saving to the County Durham economy over the last 5 years.  Members noted a flowchart demonstrating causes of homelessness and the Government’s “Making Every Contact Count: A Joint Approach to Preventing Homelessness”, 10 local challenges posed to the homelessness sector by Government.  It was noted that County Durham was already meeting most of the challenges already, for example not placing families into Bed and Breakfast accommodation. 

The Committee noted that current trends included: financial hardship; increasing debts; violent relationship breakdown, demonstrating the value of “Remain Safe”; rent arrears, to some extent masked by DHP; non-violent relationship breakdown; and eviction by parents, albeit tempered by implications of Welfare Reform and under-occupancy subsidy should children be evicted.  Members noted that DCCs response was a commitment to prevention; a commitment to working in partnership; a commitment to develop innovative working practices; and a commitment to meet the challenges ahead.

It was noted that the Strategic Objectives for 2013-18 were:

·       To prevent homelessness for all housing need across County Durham.

·       To ensure that services work in partnership to meet the holistic needs of all clients, including those with complex needs and / or those at risk of rough sleeping.

·       To ensure that sufficient, appropriate and affordable accommodation is available for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

·       To provide housing advice and housing options to everyone in County Durham.

·       To tackle the wider social and economic causes of homelessness by supporting people to access health, employment, training and associated services.

·       To achieve Gold Standard in meeting the 10 Local Authority challenges (Making Every Contact Count: A Joint Approach to Preventing Homelessness).

The Core Team Manager concluded noting there was a Regional Homelessness Group event that would be held in June 2014, chaired by Baroness Hilary Armstrong, held at County Hall, updating on progress across the regional to reduce rough sleeping.

The Chairman thanked the Core Team Manager and asked Members for their questions.

COUNCILLOR R Crute vacated the Chair

COUNCILLOR A Bateyin the Chair

Councillors asked questions in relation to: whether a booklet setting out the work, support and contact details of the Housing Solutions Team was available; who could access the Prevention Champions training; the numbers of successful homelessness appeals; whether there were enough resources to cope with the further pressures from Welfare Reform and under-occupancy; information being shared with JCP; the triage process and how this fitted in with JCP; use of the phrase “bedroom tax” rather than the term occupancy related charge; the end of the Mortgage Rescue Scheme; the effectiveness of the services being offered; and how the issue was cross-cutting with other issues such as Welfare Reform.

The Core Team Manager noted that Prevention Champion training was available to internal and external services, with courses varying from a quick 30 minute session up to a 2 day event.  It was added that a booklet was available with details as regards the Housing Solutions Team, copies would be forwarded to Members accordingly.  Councillors noted that there were few appeals at DCC around 12 per year, with our process for dealing with appeals being robust, with quality checks on cases carried out by Senior Officers.  Councillors noted that Council services were under pressure in the current economic climate, however, Housing Solutions worked with partners to help meet needs.

The Core Team Manager explained that information packs could be forwarded to partners at JobCentre Plus and would speak to the JobCentre Plus representative as regards the triage process, also mentioning an upcoming event that may be relevant.  Members noted that while the Government’s Mortgage Rescue programme ended 31 March 2014, there was early discussion with RPs as regards trying to organise a local response.  Members were informed that over the last 5 years there had been 3,500 preventions and the quarterly performance reports provided a breakdown of the numbers being helped.  It was noted that, in general, around 6,000 presentation a year would lead to 1,200 preventions, 1,000 homeless application with the remainder not engaging further, often as they have only contacted Housing Solutions for a “one-off” piece of advice.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer noted that work had been undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board as regards the impact of Welfare Reform, and added that work was ongoing corporately in relation to Welfare Reform.   

Resolved:

(i)              That the report and presentation be noted.

(ii)             That an update in relation to the development of the Homelessness Strategy be given at a future meeting of the Committee.