Issue - meetings

To receive a report from the Head of Housing and Health setting out Mid Devon Housing’s (MDH) methodology in supporting vulnerable adults who hoard and self-neglect using a multi-agency, person centred approach that also addresses health and safety risks.

The Group had before it a report * from the Head of Housing & Health reviewing the Mid Devon Housing Hoarding Policy.

The contents of the report were outlined with particular reference to:

·         The complexities involved in dealing with a tenant displaying hoarding behaviour. Their environments were often chaotic and dangerous in terms of potential trips and falls, fire risks, sanitary and hygiene arrangements being compromised.

·         There was a need to understand the underlying causes in each case and to be as supportive to the tenant as possible. This was a complex process involving many different agencies.

Consideration was given to the following:

·         How it was discovered that a tenant was hoarding? It was explained that this was sometimes discovered as a result of a routine visit by a Neighbourhood Officer, a contractor dealing with a repair issue, a tenant themselves could reach out, family members could bring it to the attention of the Council or neighbours could report it. There were a number of ways hoarding came to light.

·         Co-Regulation with the consumer regulation regime. Members themselves had a role to play in addressing the issue, particularly those on the Policy Development Group by holding to account the policy used to tackle such issues. There needed to be scrutiny, curiosity and interest in this area so that the approaches used towards handling it were sensible, supportive and appropriate. Members needed ‘oversight’ of all approaches.

·         There had been some success stories involving a lot of effort and energy on everybody’s part. A multi-agency approach involving the expertise of mental health colleagues was crucial. The levels of difficulty involved however should not be underestimated, often a tenant needed years of counselling to engage in an action plan fully. Every hoarding case was different and many in this position were initially resistant to outside help. Time needed to be spent building up a tenants confidence and working with them at an appropriate pace.

·         It was recognised that there was a difference between being a hoarder and having a home that was just cluttered.

·         Mental health services being oversubscribed and long waiting lists.

·         Possible services available to help people de-clutter such as providing extra wheelie bins or sacks. This could be explored further especially dispensation for additional waste containers or black sacks temporarily to support those that are managing a hoarding issue.

RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

The updated MDH Hoarding Policy and Equality Impact Assessment contained in Annexes A and B respectively be adopted.

(Proposed by the Chair)

Reason for the decision

As set out in the report.

Note: * Report previously circulated.