Minutes:
Today (12/7/17), I became aware that three men in the Brecon area are sleeping rough with only tents as their cover. These men are unable to access appropriate housing because they are not considered to be ‘priority’.
With further changes coming to the Local Housing Allowance, particularly for those aged under 35, it is possible that this shameful situation could grow.
Will Cabinet urgently look at the three cases this question highlights and will the Cabinet Member asses the need for hostel provision in the County?
Answer
I have been advised by Officers that they are aware of two adult males who are currently living in tents in Brecon. Officers assisted another individual who was previously living in a tent into temporary accommodation about a month ago.
I am advised that Officers have been in frequent contact with both individuals and I have asked that Cllr Matthew Dorrance be provided with information on the contacts officers have had with them.
Cllr Matthew Dorrance is correct that the introduction of changes to the benefit system which commenced in April 2012 and extended the Local Housing Allowance (LHA) Shared Accommodation Rate to all single people aged under 35 (it had previously been in place for single people aged under 25 until this time). The current LHA Shared Accommodation Rate in Brecon is £45.90 per week. The extension of LHA Shared Accommodation Rate to under 35’s has had the effect of reducing the amount of privately rented property which is available for single people under 35 who are in receipt of benefits to rent. In addition, from April 2018 the LHA Shared Accommodation Rate will be applied to under 35’s in the social housing sector, further reducing the amount of property which is available for people aged under 35 who are in receipt of benefits to rent.
The council is currently undertaking a review of homelessness in accordance with S.50 Housing (Wales) Act 2014. This will take into account a range of factors set out in the legislation and Welsh Government Guidance and will result in the production of a Homelessness Strategy by December 2018. Whilst the council does have a stock of temporary accommodation in the county, either owned and managed directly or owned and managed by other agencies (such as housing associations and voluntary sector agencies), the review will consider whether the council and its partners need to provide additional temporary accommodation. Of equal importance is also the need to consider the provision and management of shared accommodation within the social rented housing stock (both the council and housing associations) to provide suitable accommodation which is affordable for single people aged under 35 who are in receipt of benefits.
In response to Councillor Dorrance’s supplementary question if the Portfolio Holder would give a commitment to the Council providing hostel accommodation for young men not deemed to be priority, the Portfolio Holder said he would look into the circumstances of the men Councillor Dorrance had drawn to his attention to. He was concerned that the homelessness register wasn’t able to cope with the numbers seeking assistance and he gave an undertaking to consider hostel accommodation and to keeping members updated.