No. | Item | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Question from: County Councillor Matthew Dorrance Subject: Homeless and housing strategy
Question:
The Council’s Quarter 4 Performance Report notes that “the number of households in temporary accommodation excluding B&Bs increased from 135 in quarter 3 to 148 in quarter 4.”
The report also notes that the number of households now in B&B accommodation stands at 34 with 3 citizens rough sleeping.
Therefore, will the Cabinet Member inform Council:
1. How many empty (void) Council homes the Council currently has; 2. What proactive steps the Council is taking to prevent homelessness; 3. How the Council is working to secure permanent and secure accommodation for homeless people in Powys; and 4. How he believes the Council’s housing strategy will reduce the increase in homelessness?
Minutes: Response by the Portfolio Holder:
For ease of reference I have repeated the questions asked.
1. How many empty (void) Council homes the Council currently has;
2. What proactive steps the Council is taking to prevent homelessness; · All clients who approach the Council because they consider themselves to be homeless or threatened with homelessness are assessed quickly to find out why they are in this position and what options there are to resolve any problems they may have. This includes direct contact and will include where appropriate the agreement of a Personal Housing Plan, setting out the actions and responsibilities of both the client and the Council. The aim is always to wherever possible try to prevent the loss of a home (for example by intervening with existing landlords or lenders to find solutions to the problem causing a loss of home such as rent or mortgage arrears). The Council offers ‘Spend to Save’ loans to help people fund deposits for privately rented accommodation, provides social security and income management advice to help people be better able to pay for their accommodation and encourages other landlords – both social and private – to provide homes to those at risk of homelessness. · ‘Homes in Powys’ is being reviewed to consider balancing the need to give homeless households greater priority for permanent housing allocations, with the needs of non-homeless households who while not homeless may be in great need for a new home. This review, by law, has to include a statutory twelve-week consultation and any proposed changes will need the approval of members. · Three Complex Needs fixed term (to March 2022) posts (funded from Substance Misuse Action Fund SMAF) have been recruited. A fourth Complex Need worker is being recruited. These officers will work with those clients with complex needs that need intense support to prevent them from becoming homeless. · Three fixed term (to March 2022) Homeless Support Officer posts (funded from Social Housing Grant) are currently being recruited. These officers will work with people in Temporary Accommodation to help them find more permanent places in which to live and so prevent repeat homelessness. · Two officers have been seconded from Test and Trace for a limited period. One officer will be assisting by contacting households ... view the full minutes text for item 1. |