Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services incorporating the Regional Homelessness Strategy and Local Action Plan was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Housing and Supporting Communities reported that all Local Authorities are required by law to adopt a Homelessness Strategy in 2018 in order to prevent homelessness; to provide suitable accommodation for people who are or may become homeless and to ensure the availability of satisfactory support for people who are or may become homeless. Prior to producing the strategy, local authorities were required to undertake a local review in line with section 51 of the Welsh Government’s Code of Guidance on the Allocation of Accommodation and Homelessness. Local Authorities were required to undertake a review of the Homelessness Service as a basis for producing the Strategy. It was agreed by the North Wales Heads of Service that a Regional Homelessness Strategy should be produced because of the benefits - as noted in the report - which establishing a collective understanding and regional approach towards preventing homelessness would bring.

The Portfolio Member said that he wished to take the opportunity to thank the staff of the Homelessness Service on their work and also the wider Housing Service for its contribution to the formulation of the Regional Homelessness Strategy which is testament to the effective partnership working that has taken place on this strategy.

Councillor G.O. Jones, Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee reported on the Committee’s deliberations on this matter at its meeting held on 13 November, 2018 as part of an extensive consultation exercise which was undertaken whilst conducting a review of the Homelessness Service. Councillor Jones said that in endorsing and recommending the Strategy and Local Action Plan to the Executive and in welcoming the regional collaboration that had produced it , the Committee had raised a number of points of clarification on which it had received assurances by the Officers; those points included the following –

•           The arrangements for monitoring the strategy locally to ensure it continues to meet its objectives.

•           Whether there are any differences in the way the Strategy applies to those councils which have retained responsibility for their housing stock i.e. Isle of Anglesey County Councils as opposed to those in the region which have transferred their stock to registered social landlords.

•           That 50% of respondents to the consultation across the region felt that staff were not always courteous or helpful in dealing with the difficult situations that people face. The Committee did not believe the Strategy addresses this issue; it was suggested that Anglesey could take the lead on the possible training needs of staff in the six North wales local authorities in dealing with sensitive issues linked to homelessness.

•           Whether the Authority is able to respond to requests for support – the Committee had noted that managing expectations is considered a challenge.

•           The need to ensure that individuals with mental health problems are appropriately served by the strategy.

•           That the Committee noted that although the Authority does not have a dedicated centre to provide overnight accommodation for homeless persons there is a protocol for providing Bed and Breakfast accommodation for rough sleepers.

•           The potential impact of the Wylfa Newydd development in driving private sector rents upwards thereby reducing their affordability for an increasing number of people.

•           The impact of the introduction of the Universal Credit system potentially leaving people unable to pay their rents.

The Executive thanked the Scrutiny Committee for its input; in noting the Committee’s comments the Executive sought assurance that the Authority’s staff deals appropriately and sensitively with all individuals presenting as homeless who seek the Council’s help and support. The Head of Housing Service said that staff in Anglesey have been praised for the way they deal with individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless which is what Housing Management would expect of its staff.

The Executive noted that regrettably the number of homeless people is on the increase making the Strategy even more relevant and timely. The Executive sought clarification of how the strategy applies to private landlords especially in circumstances where private rented accommodation is sub-standard and/or not properly maintained or where private renters are unfairly treated potentially making them homeless and whether there are arrangements for remediating situations such as these. The Head of Housing Services said that although there is a formal process which private landlords are expected to follow in entering a tenancy agreement, a minority of landlords do not keep to the process and it is a matter of trying to work with them to ensure they do comply. Also from the Council’s perspective, in cases where applicants for social housing have failed to appropriately maintain their current or previous home, it will be reflected in their position on the housing waiting register.

It was resolved to approve the Regional Homelessness Strategy and Local Action Plan.