RESOLVED: That

1.  The new Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy attached at Appendix B to the report, be adopted; and

2.  Authority be delegated to the Head of Housing and Regulatory Services to make any non-material typographical corrections or formatting changes as required to the Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy attached at Appendix B to the report.

(See Record of Decision)

The Cabinet Member for Housing and Health introduced the item and stated that the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2019-2024 had achieved its objectives despite multiple crises including the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and a cost of living crisis. An estimated 1,000 people approached the Council in the last year over homelessness. It was stated that after consultation with service users, stakeholders, Council Officers and Councillors that the priorities of the previous strategy were still relevant and would continue. These included: prevention, accommodation, support for vulnerable groups and alleviation of rough sleeping.

In response to questions the Head of Housing and Regulatory Services stated that certain groups were ineligible for Homelessness assistance, and that included individuals granted a sponsorship visa, students from overseas and those not entitled to public funds. It was stated that Council Housing Officers provided advice to tenants that had been served no fault evictions and that the government was seeking to repeal no fault evictions through the Renters Reform Bill.

The Committee welcomed the strategy and emphasised that the priorities of the previous strategy had been recognised as relevant in the consultation.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to CABINET: That the new Homelessness & Rough Sleeper Strategy attached in Appendix B of the report, be adopted.