Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Housing and Community Services relating to the Homelessness Performance Quarter Two 2016/17.

The Housing and Inclusion Manager advised Members that there had been a year on year increase in the number of homelessness applications, from 84 in 2010/11 to 630 in 2015/16.

Between April and June 2016, 212 households had met the threshold to make a homelessness application, 208 decisions were made.  In the same quarter in 2015/16 there were 178 decisions made.  357 decisions had been made this year, compared to 313 in the same period last year.

It was noted that the number of homelessness applications continued to have an impact on the amount spent on temporary accommodation.  However, as a result of the work carried out by Housing and the Revenues & Benefits Teams, the percentage of charges recovered for rent in the last quarter stood at 87%.

In response to questions from Members, the Director of Regeneration and Place advised:-

·  In terms of Star House, the Council were aware that a couple of London Boroughs had been bidding for some of the apartments to accommodate their tenants.  When Officers looked into the leasing arrangements, it did not represent good value for money so it was not pursued.  However, the Council did have discussions with those London Boroughs direct and the need to work effectively with Kent County Council to ensure that the households were looked after effectively.  As a result of those discussions the Council had managed to secure five of the apartments for temporary accommodation. 

·  That, unless there are no alternatives, no children would be accommodated in bed and breakfast premises overnight.

·  Difficult to say how long long term accommodation would be as it would depend on when suitable accommodation became available.

·  That the Council was working on a new Temporary Accommodation Strategy.  Part of that strategy would be to help bring down the cost of nightly accommodation and to improve the quality.  The Council’s portfolio is growing and it is hoped that with current purchases, it can bring the number of units up to 50/60.

·  The Council does still have to accommodate people in Medway due to the lack of larger accommodation available in the Maidstone area.

RESOLVED:  That the performance for quarter two 2016/17 be noted.

Voting:  For:  9  Against:  0  Abstentions:  0