Agenda item

To update the Committee on the current activity in relation to homelessness in Hyndburn.

Recommended                 (1)   That the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the activity taking place to tackle and relieve homelessness in Hyndburn; and

                                (2)   That the Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcome the opportunity to be consulted on a new five year Homelessness Prevention Strategy and the consultation is added to the Committee’s programme for 2019.

The Housing Strategy & Policy Manager and the Housing Advice & Homelessness Manager submitted a report to update Communities and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee on current activity in relation to homelessness in Hyndburn. 

The Housing Advice & Homelessness Manager explained the changes implemented by the introduction of the Homeless Reduction Act which came into force in April 2018.  He reported on the Council’s role to prevent homelessness and their duty if this was not possible.  He also pointed out that other organisations such as the Police and Social Services all had a duty to refer people faced with homelessness to the local authority.  He provided figures for the number of people considered as homeless by the Council since April 2018 and those who had qualified as homeless. 

The Housing Strategy & Policy Manager reported on other work taking place to prevent homelessness and youth homelessness and referred to the many organisations from the voluntary and charity sectors with which she regularly worked with.  She referred to the growing problem of rough sleepers and reported that the actual number for Hyndburn in 2018 would be recorded during a count carried out in November 2018.  Recent Government policy aimed to end rough sleeping by 2027 but she advised that the process of applying for Universal Credit was problematic for many people and this was adding to the problem of homelessness.  She informed the Committee that the Council’s Homelessness Strategy would be reviewed in 2019 and consultations would begin soon.  She explained that there was a multi-agency response to homelessness in the borough and that these agencies met regularly.  She referred to Maundy Relief’s role in supporting provision for the homeless and advised that a number of agencies were involved to provide the additional support necessary for some people. 

Members referred to the following matters:

·         Landlords would be more inclined to provide housing to a homeless person/family if the rent was paid directly to the landlords.

·         If the process of accessing Universal Credit would make it worse for families in this position.

·         How could rough sleepers claim Universal Credit.

·         What percentage of Hyndburn people could not afford affordable housing?

·         The new Local Plan did not provide for half way housing.

·         Other barriers to access housing other than IT?

The Head of Regeneration and Housing informed the Committee that the Council had a duty to maintain a housing register and monitor numbers. He reported that changes in the welfare system over recent years had contributed to the increase in rough sleeping and impacted upon vulnerable people in the community.  In respect of adding to the Housing Association’s stock he advised that it would not be financially viable for an Association to purchase and improve empty properties and that new social housing had to be met through private sector development with a 20% affordable housing provision.  He pointed out that the Government had recently made a number of announcements which meant that Housing Associations could access funding for social and affordable housing.

The Housing Advice and Homelessness Manager explained that there had been an increase in the number of people presenting from the private sector.  He reported that it would be difficult for rough sleepers to claim Universal Credit as it was an online system only and there was a requirement for ID.  He advised that tenancy history and rent arrears were the other main barriers in seeking accommodation after being made homeless. 

The Housing Strategy & Policy Manager informed the Committee that more and more people had complex needs and that before accommodation could be provided, support would have to be sought to prevent future homelessness. 

Councillor Addison commented on the need to be realistic and for housing to be provided for the people who already live in the area. 

The Head of Regeneration and Housing reported that it was highly unlikely for specialised housing to be built in the area because of the viability of developments.  He pointed out that the Planning Department had become tougher on this issue with developers and that the housing market had started to show signs of improvement.    

Beverley Wood, Lisa Hilton and Reverend Anthony Roberts – Hyndburn Helpers addressed the Committee in respect of their role with Hyndburn Helpers. 

Beverley Wood informed the Committee that the systems and procedures currently in place to deal with homeless people was not robust enough to resolve the issues of those who required it due to many have complex needs.  She gave examples of the experiences of a number of homeless people and referred to the difficulties of some people in gaining access to the services they required.  She also requested faster responses to support services for the homeless who required it and pointed out that the current system in place was not working and that it should be less intransient.      

Lisa Hilton – Hyndburn Helpers circulated a number of photographs showing picture of properties some homeless had been rehoused in.  She reported that an elderly couple had been rehoused in a property not fit for purpose and asked why the Council and Maundy Relief were using landlords that were not adequately vetted but were still being used.  She pointed out that estate agents were willing to accept homeless families as long as rent was paid directly to the landlord.  She also complained about the attitude of some members of staff to those presenting themselves as homeless and asked for respect to be shown to those in need. 

Reverend Roberts addressed the Committee and referred to the indignity of many homeless people having to complete forms before being allowed to access basic hygiene facilities.  He proposed that more training was given to the agencies dealing with people in vulnerable situations.  He referred to the amount of effort that had been given to ensuring that a number of Syrian families were rehomed in the Hyndburn area and requested that this same effort was given to other homeless people.  He asked what the Christmas plan was for people living on the streets and what would be done with the information ascertained from the November count.  He suggested that empty shops in Accrington were used as temporary accommodation for the homeless and informed the Committee that if nothing was done then he would house the homeless in his Church and invoice the Council. 

The Chair explained that any complaints about staff attitude were submitted to the Council for investigation.

Lucy Harvecom, Manager of Maundy Relief addressed the Committee and referred to the problems of sharing some information in public.  She pointed out that some of the information presented to the Committee had been incorrect.  She informed Members that she considered that the key scheme was working well and explained that homeless people were offered supported through to tenancy.  She indicated that homeless people with a history of substance abuse and who had criminal records were hard to rehouse.  She agreed that they rehoused a lot of people in the selective licensing area but in properties that had been inspected. 

The Head of Regeneration and Housing acknowledged the work done by Hyndburn Helpers and extended an invite to them to join the Homeless in Hyndburn Forum

Reverend Roberts agreed that all agencies should work together and co-operate to provide a co-ordinated response to homelessness.  Lisa Hilton indicated that she had a lot of proposals to improve the Key Scheme and Beverley Wood proposed that homeless registration was opened up for the homeless at regular times each week.

The Chair expressed gratitude to all who had attended the meeting and hoped that all could work together in the future for the good of those who found themselves homeless.

Resolved        -           That the report be noted.