Issue - meetings

The Housing Strategy and Enabling Manager also presented the Worcestershire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy for the Executive Committee’s consideration.

Members were advised that there was a legal requirement for all Councils to have a homelessness strategy.  The Council’s existing homelessness strategy was due to expire on 31^st December 2022.  The new Worcestershire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy had been developed by Worcestershire Councils working together and had involved consultation with partner organisations.

There could be a number of causes of homelessness.  This included a breakdown in relationships, domestic violence and family and friends deciding that they could no longer provide accommodation to somebody.  The statistics provided in the report for homelessness and rough sleeping were based on figures recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Members were asked to note that the numbers were likely to change due to a range of factors, including the impact of the cost of living crisis.  Officers would be reviewing the content of the strategy on a regular basis to ensure that it remained fit for purpose.

Following the presentation of the report, Members discussed the strategy in detail and in doing so commented that it was important to have a robust policy in place to help ensure that the Council could support people experiencing homelessness or rough sleeping.  Members commented that there were some homeless people who might not be willing to engage with the Council initially who might subsequently wish to do so.  Reference was also made to particularly vulnerable groups, such as victims of domestic abuse, and Members praised officers and partner organisations that had continued to support victims of domestic abuse throughout the pandemic.

During consideration of this item, Members commented that in the report it had been noted that the strategy would be subject to continuing review.  As part of this process, Members suggested that consideration should be given to the contribution that experiencing a bereavement could make to a person’s risk of becoming homeless.

Consideration was also given to rules in respect of Council house tenancies.  Officers explained that the Council had to follow a statutory regime in relation to Council house tenancies and the Council did not have discretion in relation to the succession of tenancies to family members.

RESOLVED that

1)         the draft Worcestershire Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2022-25 and action plan be approved for public consultation; and

2)         delegated authority be given to the Head of Community and Housing Services, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Procurement, to agree any changes that may be required following the consultation process.