Agenda item - Rough Sleeping Strategy Progress Update

Report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing (copy attached).

1)    That the report be noted.

23.1    The Committee considered a report of The Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities and Housing which provided a progress update on the implementation of the Council’s Rough Sleeping Strategy.

23.2    It was explained that the Rough Sleeping Strategy had been approved by the Council and its partners and signed up to by Brighton & Hove Connected in June 2016. The issue of rough sleeping remained acute with a visible presence on the city’s streets, impacting not only on the life chances of the individuals concerned but the reputation of the city and in terms of costs to public services and business. The strategy which had been approved unanimously and signed up to by all local agencies now being closely monitored and all activity reviewed to ensure that the most effective outcomes were achieved for rough sleepers and for the city as a whole.

23.3    Currently, the numbers of rough sleepers remained stable though national and therefore local numbers were predicted to increase over the next twelve months. It had been estimated that there were currently around 30 new arrivals to the city per week that were either already rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. This meant that local agencies had to work effectively together with over 1500 individuals per year, of which approximately 1,300cases are diverted or signposted elsewhere to ensure that this did not result in significant increases in rough sleeping locally. The numbers who came from outside the city and those with a local connection is currently a 50-50 split. The vast majority of individuals had complex needs, often relating to substance misuse and mental health issues connected with their vulnerability.

23.4    The issue of rough sleeping remained an acute one for the city and the concern was that numbers could increase further due to the natural draw of the city, the impact of welfare reforms and the high cost of accessing and sustaining accommodation in the city’s private rented sector. It was recognised that implementation of the city’s current approach to rough sleeping needed to be fully implemented and constantly renewed and updates as circumstances changed in order to ensure that the city’s commissioners, service providers and voluntary sector groups were working in partnership to a clear strategic plan which would reduce rough sleeping in the city and improve outcomes for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping.

23.5    Councillor Moonan welcomed the report which set out the scale of the problem and the challenges which faced the city and its partners in addressing which included the not insubstantial barrier posed by the lack of affordable housing.

23.6    Councillor West concurred stating that in his view it was important to recognise the bigger picture considering that it might be appropriate to write to the Minister for Housing to seek to ensure that the underlying causes of this problem was addressed in the Government Green Paper. Councillor Cattell considered that it was important to press for use of HRA monies to be able to be used to fund house building, this was an issue with a number of local authorities across the country were struggling.

23.7    The Chair, Councillor Daniel stated that as this issue cut across the responsibilities of a number of committees it was important that this Committee did not step outside of its remit. Councillor Bewick sought legal advice on the matter also stating that he considered that more money needed to be made available by central government in order to address this and inter-related issues. The Committee were advised by the Head of Legal Services, Elizabeth Culbert that although the report cut across the responsibilities of several Committees it would be in order for the Committee to forward the report to Full Council for information.

23.8    In answer to questions by Councillor Simson it was explained that the numbers were static at present but fluid i.e. that individuals moved in-out of rough sleeping. Not all who came to the city stayed there and ultimately intervention helped to prevent rough sleeping by some and some were assisted out of rough sleeping. In the case of the latter given the needs and vulnerabilities of such individuals which were often complex and deep seated that often took a longer period of time to achieve.

23.9    Councillor Peltzer Dunn noted all that had been said considering that it was important to note all that was being put into place to address this issue considering that it would be helpful if a future update report could include recommendations which the Committee could agree to address this issue going forward.

23.10  Councillor West stated that he was firmly of the view that the report should go forward to Full Council for noting and the Chair suggested that it might be appropriate (outside of the Committee meeting) for the relevant members to discuss whether it would be appropriate to put forward a Cross-Party motion in relation to this matter.

23.11  RESOLVED: That the report be noted.