Issue - meetings

James Goddard, Group Manager, Housing Strategy, LBBD, presented the report and explained that the Council had to review the homelessness services every five years, which included assessing emerging trends and examining interventions employed to prevent homelessness.  On the basis of the review, the Council was expected to prepare a prevention strategy to mitigate homelessness over the next five years and this was set out in the Draft Homelessness Strategy 2016/21.  The public consultation on the Draft Strategy was due to end on 15 February and the final version was expected to be presented to the LBBD Cabinet in Spring 2016. 

James drew the Board’s attention to the categories of homelessness and a number of issues in the report, including the increase in demand and lack of affordable housing both locally and across the London area, the impact on the welfare funding reforms and private landlords’ response to that resulting in transient population, which in turn had adverse social implications.  In such a challenging housing market, a different approach would be needed. 

The Board noted that 80% of the market in London could no longer be considered affordable.  In response to a question from Cllr Butt, James advised that the Rent Deposit Scheme was not working as there was difficulty in obtaining properties because of the high demand in the London and local area.

The Board discussed a number of issues including:

·  Looked after children leaving care needing stability

·  Mental health and vulnerable adults and supporting individuals health / physical needs with appropriate housing and adaptations

·  Young mothers

·  Difficulties in obtaining health care for the homeless

·  Gypsy and traveller needs.

·  Further work that would be undertaken, in association with the Safeguarding Board and Council officers.

The Board:

(i)  Noted the high demand for affordable housing in the local area, which currently could not be met, and the effect of the increased cost of rents in the private sector, which had resulted in a growing affordability gap for local people;

(ii)  Noted that whilst the strategy was being further developed there was an opportunity to look at more radical options.  In the meantime, effort would be concentrated on the top two or three objectives, set out in the report.  This would initial be the accommodation needs for Looked after Children leaving care and teenage mothers;

(iii)  Noted that the Safeguarding Adults Board and Safeguarding Children’s Board would also be part of the consultation process; and

(iv)  Raised concern with the CCG about the ability of homeless people being able to register at GP’s and for other medical / health support.  It was noted that it would be possible to reactive the existing GP Concordat.