Issue - meetings

To endorse the Redditch Housing Advice and Homelessness Review and agree the Redditch Enhanced Housing Options Strategy and Action Plan for 2010 to 2013.

(Report attached – appendices available via the Council’s website and in the Group Rooms)

RECOMMENDED that

subject to community consultation and Members’ comments, the Enhanced Housing Options Strategy be approved and implemented.

The Committee received the outcome of the review of the Redditch Homelessness and Housing Advice Review which considered current services, identified progress made since the Redditch Homelessness Strategy was published in 2003 and highlighted the lessons learned during the initial stages of the two-year ‘Trailblazer Initiative’.

Members were delighted at the impact resulting from the change of emphasis within the service. The fall in the number of Statutory Homeless Acceptances had fallen very significantly during the previous 18 months and was continuing.

It was reported that the numbers of successful preventions had increased tremendously. Officers worked to process those cases where there was the greatest risk of homelessness, employing a triage system to prioritise those who were the most vulnerable.

Officers were commended for their work in improving the effectiveness of the service.

RECOMMENDED that

subject to community consultation and Members’ comments, the Enhanced Housing Options Strategy be approved and implemented.