Issue - items at meetings - Next steps - Rough Sleeping and Accommodation during Covid 19 Pandemic and Recovery

RESOLVED:

          2.1 That Housing Committee note the progress to date.

2.2 That Housing Committee note the continued role of the Homeless Reduction Board in monitoring progress on meeting the conditions of NSAP funding and next steps.

2.3 That Housing Committee agrees that for the Covid 2 “risk of rough sleeping group” that the Homeless Reduction Board should monitor the maximisation of prevention by all means; identifying resources needed to achieve faster move on; and maximising recovery of Housing Benefit (as outlined in para 7.3).

135.1  Sylvia Peckham (Head of Housing Needs) introduced the report to the committee.

135.2  Councillor Atkinson was informed that the figures in the report were split into two sections, Covid-1 and Covid-2. Covid-1 covered the pandemic up till 30 September 2020, when government funding ended and Covid-2 after that date. By end of September 2020, 369 rough sleepers have been accommodated. In Covid-1, 186 have moved out of emergency accommodation, whilst 23 have moved in. In the Covid-2 group, 155 have moved in. By the end of March 2021 approximately 400 will have moved on.

135.3  Councillor Williams expressed concerns relating to what has been termed ‘Secret SWEP’ and was informed that it had been agreed that more communications were required to inform rough sleepers when Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) accommodation was open. It was noted that cold weather units will remain open until March 2021 and 8 out of 10 persons moving forward with resolutions. The last two are resisting help.

135.4  Councillor Phillips was informed that the rough sleepers are not limited to the amount of time they spend in emergency accommodation, they would not be thrown-out at any time. It was noted that during the pandemic there had been a move away from congregate housing. Credit control staff have been helping the Housing benefit team, increasing the number of staff by two. Early intervention by analysing the origins of those moving into the city is ongoing. The restriction on evictions by landlords will continue until 21 Feb 2021, it was noted. In light of this landlords are being asked if they have any issues. Emergency is the only accommodation used outside of the city. Hotels are still working with the authority and are being used as emergency accommodation. The Housing team do contact rough sleepers whenever possible to understand how they have moved on when they leave emergency accommodation by themselves. Support is being given, including deposit guarantee, rent deposit and intensive personal support for the first three months. Tenant drop-in sessions are continuing online, where intensive support can be given. It was noted that protocols with neighbouring authorities regarding reconnections are being written. It is hoped that these protocols would speed up responses whilst a strategy is being developed for the corridor of authorities between London and Brighton. Members will be sent the protocol as soon as it is agreed. It was also noted that tenants with rent arrears were being helped. Anti-social behaviour was considered a major problem with the council often stepping in the help resolve issues with landlords.

135.5  Councillor Barnett expressed concerns regarding aggressive beggars on the street and was informed that it was difficult to estimate the number of beggars and the council were working with partner organisations, such as Sussex Police to resolve the issue. It was noted that there was a donation scheme, Make Change Count, where people could donate money.

          Debate

135.6  Councillor Mears expressed concerns regarding the amount of detail and that the Homeless Reduction Board would be a ‘talking shop’ only. The councillor also stated that they felt addiction needed to be dealt with in order to stop on street begging.

135.7  Councillor Gibson thanked council staff for the progress achieved. The councillor noted that the Homeless Reduction Board will look at many issues including the Covid-2 group figures and where did people go when they left accommodation of their own accord. The minutes of the board meetings will be sent out to committee members.

135.8  Councillor Williams noted that the Homeless Reduction Board has dealt with many issues, including some raised at committee today and board members will report back to councillors via political groups.

135.9  The Chair put the recommendations to the vote, which were unanimously agreed.

RESOLVED:

          2.1 That Housing Committee note the progress to date.

2.2 That Housing Committee note the continued role of the Homeless Reduction Board in monitoring progress on meeting the conditions of NSAP funding and next steps.

2.3 That Housing Committee agrees that for the Covid 2 “risk of rough sleeping group” that the Homeless Reduction Board should monitor the maximisation of prevention by all means; identifying resources needed to achieve faster move on; and maximising recovery of Housing Benefit (as outlined in para 7.3).