Agenda item

Report of the Housing and Welfare Manager.

The Housing and Welfare Manager introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, providing an overview of the current homelessness situation in the borough and the impact of Section 21 notices.

A presentation was given, highlights of which were as follows:

It was noted that the Homeless Reduction Act had been introduced in 2017 which allowed Council to try and prevent people from becoming homeless. It was then noted that although the act was introduced, homeless applications continued to increase with Section 21 notices being the second most common reason for causing homelessness in the borough.

Members noted that there had been an increase in temporary accommodation (TA) placements, which fell in line with the increase in homeless applications.

It was noted that the council allocated social housing applications via a banding system, based on priority need. Members noted that the waiting list had increased from 543 in October 2021 to 768 in October 2024.

It was noted the current pressures on the Council’s housing department, some of which included:

·       The country is in the middle of a housing crisis.

·       The council doesn’t own its own housing stock.

·       Increased demand for affordable housing.

·       Cost of private rented sector.

·       Increased demand for temporary accommodation.

·       Low turnover of existing social housing stock.

Members noted what the Council had been doing to address the current pressures. Some of which included:

·       Drafting of a new 5-year Housing Strategy.

·       Additional staff resources, including specialist refugee officer.

·       Reviewing the Council’s Allocations Policy.

·       Negotiating larger and adaptable homes on new housing sites.

·       Operating a Sanctuary scheme to enable households at risk of violence to remain safely in their homes.

The Chair then gave Members the opportunity to ask questions.

Members queried whether the council had considered whether they expected an increase in Section 8 notices following the abolition of Section 21 notices.

The Housing and Welfare Manager agreed that landlords might pursue other means of evicting tenants and would be monitored.

Members noted that there had been an increase in evictions since the announcement that Section 21 notices would be abolished, asking whether the Council had made any preparations for the potential increase in homelessness following the increase in evictions.

The Housing and Welfare Manager highlighted that there had not been an increase in evictions in the borough following the announcement and had not made any preparations at present.

Members queried how successful the council had been with working with developers to secure larger social housing properties to reduce those with larger families being placed in bed and breakfast accommodation.

The Housing and Welfare Manager explained that the council had not placed larger families in bed and breakfast for prolonged periods of time, noting that there were no overcrowding policies in temporary accommodation so the council would initially try to place larger families in TA before moving them on to more suitable, permanent accommodation. It was noted that the council received 10% social housing on new developments with the goal of negotiating larger properties going forward.

Members noted the increase in homeless applications since 2017, and asked whether the council had analysed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

The Housing and Welfare Manager explained that an analysis on the impact of the pandemic had not been conducted but noted that as with all homeless applications, the reasons for their homelessness would vary from case to case.

Members queried whether the Council checked whether a member of the public are ex-service personnel and could be entitled to help from the Royal British Legion.

The Housing and Welfare Manager confirmed that they conduct checks on applicant history and would present their options as part of the advice given.

RESOLVED:

To thank the Housing and Welfare Manager for the information provided.