Agenda item - Homelessness and rough sleeping strategy 2025 to 2030

Report of the Corporate Director, Homes & Adult Social Care (copy attached).

20.1    The item was presented by Harry Williams, Director of Housing, People      Services. Mr Williams told the Board that the council has a legal duty to have a homelessness & rough sleeping strategy, to be updated every 5           years. The development of a new local strategy is complicated by the           fact that there is a new national strategy currently being developed.    Increasing financial pressures on the local authority and reductions in           grant funding are also complicating factors.

20.2    There are significant local problems to address. There are an estimated           3,500 homeless people in the city, including around 76 people who are rough sleepers. Around 700 of the homeless people in the city have been   identified as having multiple compound needs. The new strategy has        been developed via a strategic partnership approach, with a focus on           financial sustainability and the prevention of homelessness. There is     also an emphasis on involving people with lived experience of    homelessness in the development of the strategy, and on ensuring that       the new strategy adopts of trauma informed and health-focused           approach. Priority areas for the new strategy will include enhancing early       intervention work, improving temporary accommodation pathways and     more joined-up partnership working.

20.3    Stephen Lightfoot commented that the aims of the strategy seem clear,          and he welcomed the links that have been made with health services. He asked about links with work and with the local Economic Growth         Board. Mr Williams replied that employment is key: around 60% of local           homeless people are unemployed or not in employment, education or training (NEET).

20.4    Tanya Brown-Griffith noted that there will be significant opportunities for      health to work positively with housing, for example in terms of the     development of neighbourhood approaches and in work on multiple        compound needs. This is important as housing is an important   contributor to health. Should we be thinking about what more can be           done? For example, could we be delivering housing support from the           East Brighton Health Hub?

20.5    Cllr Halliwell asked how services work to identify people at risk of        homelessness. Mr Williams replied that services take a data-led        approach, with data shared across organisations. This is an area where       emerging technologies such as AI have the potential to significantly     impact what can be achieved.

20.6    In response to a question from Cllr Helliwell on overcrowding, Mr     Williams confirmed that people living in overcrowded accommodation       may fit the statutory definition of homeless.

20.7    Caroline Ridley commented that there had been good engagement with     the Community & Voluntary sector in developing the strategy. However,          she was concerned that there may be poor data available on how   homelessness impacts young people. Mr Williams responded that there       is a chapter in the new strategy dedicated to children and families as this           is an area of high priority. However, he acknowledged Ms Ridley’s           concerns.

20.8    Alan Boyd agreed that engagement with partners on the development of       the strategy has been good. He asked how Brighton & Hove compares          with neighbouring authorities in terms of homelessness given   differences in our demographics.

20.9    Mr Boyd asked how realistic the ambitions of the strategy are given the           funding available. Mr Williams responded that funding is challenging.           However, there are still significant funds available locally and the          challenge for the strategy is to channel the available funding so as to           deliver the best value possible.

20.10  Cllr Asaduzzaman asked what more can be done to embed housing       issues in health protection work. Mr Williams responded that early      intervention is key. Housing needs to develop better links with health           services so that issues can be shared at an early stage.

20.11  RESOLVED – that the report be noted.