Issue - meetings

The report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services presents the Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy, which outlines how the council allocates and priorities temporary accommodation for homeless applicants in priority need.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for Housing:

(1)       recognises the important role that temporary accommodation has in supporting people who are in crisis as a result of homelessness;

(2)       recognises that the policy formalises the working practice and ensures the fair allocation of temporary accommodation and meets its legal obligations;

(3)       approves the council's Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy which will then be published on the council's website.

The Cabinet Member for Housing

(1)  recognises the important role that temporary accommodation has in supporting people who are in crisis as a result of homelessness.

(2)  recognises that the policy formalises the working practice and ensures the fair allocation of temporary accommodation and meets its legal obligations.

(3)  approved the council's Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy which will be published on the council's website.

Paul Fielding Assistant Director of Housing introduced the report on behalf of the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services accompanied by Sharon George, Housing Needs, Advice and Support Manager and Daniel Lake, NTO and Accommodation Manager. He explained the background to the report and the need for prioritisation in allocation of the range of properties, some of which was owned by external providers. The policy was to bring clarity and would be published, pending approval at this meeting.

The comments made are not minuted in full but a webcast of the meeting can be viewed here:

https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/Cabinet-Housing-27Jan2020

Maria Cole, on behalf of the Residents' Consortium, asked questions regarding the numbers and age range of children needing temporary accommodation and their schooling needs and multi-agency work. Mr Lake responded that the exact number was not known as there were daily variations and the ages would range from babies up to 18 years old.  Work took place with families to look at the proximity to schools and offer travel assistance where necessary. There is a legal right to review in which the reasons which led to refusal are considered. Work takes place with other agencies as part of this process.

Councillor Corkery asked about notifications from other local authorities; Councillor Sanders confirmed there had previously been notifications of placements made by other local authorities in Portsmouth and some people would enter into arrangements with private landlords.

Councillor Sanders welcomed the report which sought to address the increasing problem with strained resources since the introduction of the Homelessness Reduction Act, with an increase of a third on numbers requiring temporary accommodation.  This was also being tackled by Portsmouth City Council buying back properties and developing suitable accommodation.

DECISIONS

The Cabinet Member for Housing

(1)  recognises the important role that temporary accommodation has in supporting people who are in crisis as a result of homelessness.

(2)  recognises that the policy formalises the working practice and ensures the fair allocation of temporary accommodation and meets its legal obligations.

(3)  approved the council's Temporary Accommodation Placement Policy which will be published on the council's website.