Issue - meetings

The Housing Strategy and Enabling Team Leader presented the Worcestershire Strategic Direction for Tackling Homelessness.  Three priorities had been agreed for inclusion in the strategy and officers would undertake work in relation to each of these.  Members were asked to note that there was a Redditch Homelessness Forum which hadn’t been listed on the draft copy of the document provided for Members’ consideration but would be included in the final version of the report.  Further changes would need to be made to the strategy 12 months after the date of the meeting to ensure compliance with the new national Rough Sleeping Strategy.

Members discussed the report and in so doing noted the following:

·                The introduction of the Redditch Homelessness Forum in recent months and the positive contribution that this would make to tackling homelessness in the Borough.

·                The location of the six officers referred to in the strategy who provided support in respect of rough sleeping.  Officers advised that there were two officers serving Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District, though primarily their main demand for work was in Redditch.

·                The arrangement by which it had been agreed that two officers would work in Redditch Borough and Bromsgrove District and how this compared to other parts of the county.  Members were advised that services in respect of rough sleepers had been determined at a local level and Redditch Borough Council had chosen to work with the CCP Rough Sleeper Outreach Service.

·                The support provided by the staff to rough sleepers.  Members were advised that the Officers worked with the Housing Options team and also engaged directly with rough sleepers.

·                The complexity of rough sleeping cases, whereby individuals often had a range of mental health needs and substance abuse issues.

·                The training provided to staff and whether this covered mental health needs.  Members were advised that whilst specific details were not available about the training received by staff it was understood that this was comprehensive.

·                The levels of homelessness nationally and how this compared to previous years.

·                The need for the Council to work in partnership with other organisations to meet the needs of people who were homeless.

·                The need to provide residents with secure accommodation.

RESOLVED that

1)        the Worcestershire Strategic Direction for Tackling Homelessness be endorsed and supported;

2)        this document expands on previously agreed high level actions within the Housing Partnership Plan that relate to tackling homelessness.

3)        this document will need to be updated and renamed within the next 12 months to ensure compliance with the new national Rough Sleeping Strategy with amendments being made at officer level.