To discuss in greater detail the risks facing the Council in relation to increased Homelessness which had been identified as part of the Housing Options Internal Audit. Gaining a better understanding of the issues involved, by the Committee with responsibility for ‘risk’, was requested at the last meeting.
Minutes:
The Operations Manager for Public Health and Housing Options had been invited to the meeting to assist the Committee with their understanding of the risks to the Council in relation to Homelessness. This had been requested as a result of the Committee having received the Internal Audit of the Housing Options Internal Audit at the last meeting.
The following information was brought to the Committee’s attention:
Risks
· CR12 on the risk register covered the general housing crisis relating to housing supply, affordability and the knock on effect this had on homelessness approaches.
· Particular risks relating to Housing Options
o Increase in homelessness approaches to the housing options team and insufficient staff resources to deal with these within statutory requirements
o Increased numbers of households entering temporary accommodation and having to stay longer due to lack of affordable accommodation to move on to
o Increased cost to the Council for temporary accommodation due to longer stays and greater demand
o Lack of available accommodation that was affordable and suitable for the household type (such as families with children and care leavers) resulting in use of inappropriate placements
Mitigations/Actions currently in place
· Proposed re-structure had been put forward to ensure sufficient resources were in place to deal with homelessness demand, provided prevention measures, supported households out of temporary accommodation and to sustain tenancies in the private sector, managed the use of own stock temporary accommodation and assisted non-UK nationals under the various refugee schemes.
· Review of homelessness policy over the course of 24/25 to take account current demand and prevention measures
· Greater focus on prevention opportunities through the introduction of a housing initiatives plan
· Housing initiatives plan to be presented to Homes PDG early 24/25 for agreement. The plan aimed to increase access to private rented accommodation, incentivise landlords to work with the Council and encourage the use of empty homes as affordable accommodation.
· Engagement with landlords continued to ensure the quality of accommodation available and to prevent tenants being evicted. Landlords were encouraged to work with the Council before eviction became necessary to resolve any issues.
· Purchase of properties to be used as temporary accommodation instead of using hotel rooms. One existing house in multiple occupation (HMO) had been running successfully for three years providing 6 en-suite rooms. Purchased two additional HMOs in 2022/23 which were being renovated to provide further accommodation. One was in partial use and once complete would provide 8 rooms, the other was almost fully complete and would provide 6 en-suite rooms.
· Under the local Authority Housing Fund further single household properties had been purchased and by 31st March 2024 there would be 10 additional properties available. This included one four-bed property for use by Afghan refugees and 9 two/three bed homes for use to help support the homes for Ukraine scheme. Longer term these homes would be available for general temporary accommodation. These properties helped to reduce the impact of refugees on the general homelessness approaches and spend on hotel accommodation.
· Drafting of a service level agreement between Mid Devon Housing and Housing Options had started to formalise the arrangements for use of council owned homes as temporary accommodation.
· The Homes for Ukraine scheme (HfU) had been extended which meant guests would be able to remain with their hosts longer reducing the burden on homelessness and the private rented sector.
· Under the HfU scheme grants were provided to assist Ukrainian households to settle into the private rented sector, again this was aimed at reducing the need for temporary accommodation where a hosting relationship has ended.
· A further round of Local Authority Housing fund was expected for 2024/25 which could be used to provide more temporary accommodation for general use.
Discussion took place with regard to:
· The extent of kitchen facilities in Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO’s).
· Each room, which was usually quite large in size, had its own cupboard and fridge freezer.
· Whether providing ‘lodging’ facilities was an option for Council tenants who could then ‘keep’ the rent?
· Leasing schemes were being investigated with the Legal team.
· The Housing Assistance Policy provided financial incentives to people who met certain criteria.
· The value of trauma based education as a way of keeping people in their homes.
· The Housing Options Team were always keen to work with charities to help and inform tenants, for example, with budgeting advice.
· The Government would continue to provide funding for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme for a further year at least although the amount of money available had reduced.
· A recent Devon County Council newsletter had mentioned care leavers running training programmes called ‘Total Respect’. It was hoped Mid Devon could link into that.
The Committee thanked the Operations Manager for Public Health and Housing Options for her informative presentation.