Issue - meetings

The report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services provides information on the current strategic approach, and the resources in place, to respond to the needs of rough sleepers to reduce rough sleeping as outlined in the Street Homelessness and Rough Sleepers Partnership Strategy 2018-2020.     

The contents of the information report were noted.

(This is not subject to call-in provisions.)

This report had been requested by the Cabinet Member to update on the wide range of work taking place by the City Council and voluntary sector since the Rough Sleepers' Strategy had been approved a year ago.  The information report was presented by Sara Wiltshire, Rough Sleeper Co-ordinator, summarising the support and resources available in the city.

Cllr Sanders invited an interested resident to speak as she was attending the meeting for this item; deputations are not minuted in full and can be viewed as part of the webcast recording of the meeting here:

https://livestream.com/accounts/14063785/cabinet-housing-09mar2020

Maureen Butler raised questions on whether homeless persons were charged for services at the shelters such as laundry and food; it was reported these were provided free of charge along with other support. Councillor Sanders reported that "alternative giving" was being considered, such as meal vouchers that the public can contribute to rather than give cash direct if they were concerned how their money would be spent.

The Residents' Consortium and CLG representatives Madha Abrams and Maria Cole also raised comments on training opportunities and questions on church involvement and severe weather cover outside of the winter months.

Councillor Corkery asked about the accuracy of numbers, how capacity is accounted when people book and do not turn up, and if a Housing First approach is being taken?  Sara Wiltshire explained that the needs of the individual were looked at to see what support is needed.

Councillor Payter-Harris asked how often the adverse weather protocol has been implemented in the last year.  It was reported that it was used 3 times over the winter once for cold weather and twice for the storms. With regards to the tracking of individuals using the night shelter they would continue to be looked at when accessing the day services.   Councillor Payter-Harris requested that further information on these numbers be sent to him as well as those being refused access.  He congratulated the team on the award of government funding of £649k.

Councillor Sanders, as Cabinet Member, was grateful to the work of former councillor Paul Godier for his work and enthusiasm that had been important to the development of these non-statutory services. This had relied on government grants and imaginative ways of working such as doubling warden numbers. The model here was not formally called Housing First but took a similar approach, looking at the needs of the individual.  He also thanked the work of the Homelessness Working Group, which was cross party and chaired by Sally Taylor.

The contents of the information report were noted.