Agenda and minutes

It was heartening to hear the commitment made at the PCC Covid briefing on 7th May that homeless people accommodated as a result of the pandemic will not be returning to the streets, or to unsuitable accommodation.  It was noted that given the complex risks and needs of families and individuals a multi -agency approach will be in place to achieve this outcome.

Question:

As PPC prepares for this next phase:

Is there a multi-agency plan in place (or being prepared) to address continuity for those accommodated during the pandemic?

What actions are being taken to ensure tenants can sustain properties post pandemic?

How will the plan be financed?

What specific risks have been identified and how they will be mitigated?

Response by the Portfolio Holder:

Thank you for your queries in relation to homelessness in Powys.

The Homeless Cell, created in accordance with Welsh Government guidance, is multi agency and includes representatives from Probation, Police, PAVO, Social Services, Kaleidoscope and the Powys Teaching Health Board. The Cell oversees the Powys response to homelessness during the Covid 19 pandemic, it has proven to be such a successful forum that partners are looking to adopt this approach beyond the current crisis.

The same agencies and partners were involved in developing the Homeless Strategy and action plan – see link to website: Homelessness Strategy

The Housing Service and its partners will be reviewing the Homeless Strategy Action Plan, together with the Housing Strategy, this year. This was confirmed at the April meeting of the Strategic Housing Partnership with a workshop scheduled for this month. The review of the Housing Strategy and Homeless Strategy Action Plan will consider the medium to long-term responses.

In order to address the immediate issues, the Housing Service has set up an internal COVID19 Homelessness exit strategy-working group, which is meeting on a weekly basis. We have also established, with Social Services Commissioning, a housing support-working group, which includes Homeless Cell agencies. This group will review the support services available in Powys, funded by Housing Support Grant (HSG), with a view to providing assertive/sticky support, which is not currently available in Powys.

Since March the Housing Service have secured and provided additional temporary accommodation, this means a number of single person households are accommodated in larger-than-required housing.  A number of the households accommodated require assertive outreach support, which is not currently available as noted above.

In addition the Housing Service:

•           are considering, when a suitable opportunity arises, converting council houses into flats.

•           are exploring opportunities to purchase additional suitable properties using the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

•           have requested that Powys are included in Welsh Government’s private sector leasing scheme pilot.

•           are reviewing the Homes in Powys allocation scheme.

In terms of funding, PCC are considering reconfiguring the HSG services, will reconsider the priorities in the HRA business plan and have also requested additional funding from Welsh Government.

I trust the above answers your queries, if you do require any additional details please contact Dafydd Evans, Service Manger Housing Solutions and Chair of the Homeless Coordination Cell.