Agenda item

(i)              Report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Economic      Development.

(ii)      Presentation by the Housing Project and Service Improvement        Manager, Regeneration and Economic Development.

The Chairman introduced the Housing Manager, Regeneration and Economic Development, Marie Smith who was in attendance to give an update as regards Homelessness (for copy see file of minutes).

The Housing Manager reminded Members of the background to the Homelessness Action Partnership (HAP), noting its inception in 2004, with several partners including statutory agencies, housing providers and third sector and voluntary agencies.  It was explained that the overall aim of the HAP was linked to the Homelessness and Housing Strategies, namely:

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

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

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

·       To understand legislation changes and the impact.

Members noted that recent discussions had included priorities, such as: sharing national and regional updates from forums; exploring funding opportunities; looking at data and demand; implementing and understanding future policy changes; access to supported accommodation; developing new initiatives; and strengthening links to poverty, Durham Key Options (DKO) and health.

The Committee noted statistics in terms of the service, with the number of contacts with the service having increased in 2014/15 and the number of homeless applications having decreased from over 1000 in 2012/13 to just over 600 in 2014/15 and the numbers of homeless acceptances had also decreased in this period.  The Housing Manager referred Members to statistics over the last 3 years in relation to the reasons for the loss of a settled home, with the main ones being a relationship breakdown or loss of assured shorthold tenancy.  It was added that the main age range of applicants was those aged 22-44 and the largest proportion of household type was lone female parent with dependent children.  Councillors noted the areas with the greatest number of applications were East Durham and Sedgefield, areas with the largest concentration of social housing.   

The Housing Manager reminded Members of the Council’s Holistic Temporary Accommodation Service (HTASS) and that this was managed for the Council by Stonham.  It was added that this service had been jointly commissioned and funding in support of the Council’s duties in terms of the Children’s Act and Homelessness and that a Joint Protocol for 16/17 year olds had been developed, now part of HTASS.  It was explained that there were changes in terms of benefits moving to Universal Credit (UC) and accordingly there was as Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) representative at the HAP meetings.  Members noted other associated issues such as health, work with Homelessness Link and joint working in terms of bidding for funding. 

It was noted that there was a joint approach to assessing the health needs of homeless people and pre-eviction protocols in place with landlords.  Councillors were reminded of the work undertaken with housing benefits in terms of discretionary housing payment and the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme.

The Housing Manager noted potential future policy changes and actions, including: a DCLG inquiry into causes of homelessness and the approaches taken to tackle homelessness, which would feed into the decision making as regards the prevention of homelessness becoming a statutory function.  It was added that the North East Local Authorities had agreed to submit a Combined Authority response, with Durham contribution by providing: a breakdown of causes of homelessness for households, couples and single people; step taken to tackle homelessness including the HAP, Homeless Strategy and Poverty Group; the relationship with social housing providers; and measures taken to prevent homelessness.  It was added that there were also further changes in relation to welfare reform, in connection with benefit entitlement.

The Chairman thanked the Housing Manager and asked Members for their questions on the presentation, noting he was surprised that the economy had not been the main reason for loss of a settled home.

The Housing Manager noted there was a slight link of the state of the economy and that issues that emerged was not necessarily of people becoming homeless, however more owner/occupiers were in a “problem” situation having lost their jobs, although at a stage whereby they were struggling, but not yet at crisis.  It was noted that some landlords were helping in terms of those renting by accepting lower rents, however, there was an issue of the lower demand areas being used by more vulnerable clients creating potential issues in terms of community.

Councillor H Nicholson noted the DWP operated very differently to how it did in 2010 and that he felt the number of sanctions in terms of benefits could be an issue.  The Housing Manager noted that in the past there had not been consistent representation by the DWP, however, this was being addressed, and that there was also a link via “Work Coaches” in terms of those in receipt of UC.

Councillor E Adam noted a positive report and asked as regards data in terms of those who were not housed and reasons why; what was being done in terms of the majority of those households being lone female parents; and how Councillors could support innovation to help tackle the issue.  The Housing Manager explained that the new Gateway service looked to assess and provide links to the relevant specialists to provide the support needed by clients.  It was added that this also provided more information in terms of why a person may not be able to accept the help offered and also in terms of trends of household types.  The Housing Manager noted that previously work was outcome based, however, it was noted that there was a role in terms of community, for example with the Officers help those impacted by Welfare Reform and the wider role of the Council in terms of job creation and tackling poverty.  Members were reminded that tailored support could also involve referrals to other relevant services, for example in terms of drug and alcohol support.

Councillor M Davinson noted that the statistics as set out noted an eightfold increase in the numbers of homeless applications in East Durham from 2012/13 to 2013/14 and also a large increase in the Dale and Valley area in that period, albeit returning to previously levels in the current year.  Councillor M Davinson asked if there was any further information in terms of these variations, and asked if it was linked to people not wishing to take up an offer of a 3-bedroom property.  The Housing Manager noted she would look into the issues further, and note if there were any lessons to learn from the Dale and Valley area in terms of tackling the issue.

Councillor A Batey noted coverage in the media and a lot of activity on social media in terms of the difficult experienced by ex-service personnel in being able to access social housing.  The Housing Manager noted she was not aware of an issue in terms of ex-service personnel and homelessness in County Durham, however, she would double check.  In terms of application via DKO, there was a system in place in terms of such applications.  Councillor J Clare noted he felt the issue was being used by some on social media to further their own agendas, and not necessarily based upon facts.  Councillor J Clare added that there could be many complex issues being faced by any clients accessing DKO, including ex-service personnel and therefore there could be a great many reasons why an individual may not be able to secure a property.  Councillor J Clare asked if there was any further information in terms of the geography of the issue, noting Sedgefield as an area that had been highlighted.  The Housing Manager reiterated that Sedgefield and East Durham areas were those areas that had previously had the most amount of the council housing stock and most amount of social housing.

Councillor J Clare noted the main reasons cited for the loss of a settled home, and was surprise there was not a higher amount in terms of the impact of drug and alcohol misuse or mental health issues as he felt these could be underlying issues.  The Housing Manager noted the statistics gave a high level view, however, looking with some more detail then issues as described could be identified and that appropriate referrals, for example in terms of Family Intervention Project (FIP), would be made.

Councillor D Hall asked as regards cases of new housing developments there being scope to have monies in lieu of affordable housing provision.  The Housing Manager noted that the Council’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) at the very high level and work between the Housing Manager and Planners in terms of where there may be a need for as specific type of property, and for the HAP to then look for gaps.

Resolved:   

(i)              That the report and presentation be noted.

(ii)             That the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee, as part of the refresh of the Work Programme for 2016/17 receive a further update report on homelessness in County Durham.