The Strategic Director, Place will present a report (Document “U”) which provides information on key homelessness and rough sleeping issues across the District.

Recommended –

That the information provided on key homelessness and rough sleeping issues, challenges and responses across the District.

(Dimitris Tolios – 01274 4366635)

The Strategic Director, Place presented a report (Document “U”) which provided information on key homelessness and rough sleeping issues across the District.

It was noted that Bradford was doing well compared to neighbouring areas and that there were fewer rough sleepers than last year.

A member who worked for Horton Housing asked whether any assistance could be given to people living a chaotic lifestyle who struggled to clear 25% of their debts before being allocated permanent accommodation.  Officers agreed to raise this issue in the appropriate place.

Members were advised that the Rough Sleeper Service was looking into the reasons why a number of people were unable to leave hostels.  They were looking at breaking down barriers with major housing providers and progress was being made, albeit slow.

A member asked what could be done to address one of the causes of homelessness, Notices to Quit from private rented accommodation.  Members were advised that contact could be made with the landlord to negotiate more time for the tenant to find alternative accommodation.  It was noted that the Council offered free training to landlords on how to work with the Council to prevent evictions and the take up was good.

A member questioned that the number of rough sleepers in 2018 was 24 and asked how the figure was arrived at.  In response it was reported that an annual count was carried out on a specific day starting at 4am.  Members referred to the number of people seen begging in the district and it was noted that someone seen begging may not necessarily be a rough sleeper.

Members were invited to the rough sleeper count that would take place on 31 January 2020.

A member referred to women with children fleeing domestic violence being placed in accommodation that was not big enough for them and asked how this was being addressed as social housing was not being built in the numbers required.

In response to a member question it was noted that bids had been made nationally for the £260m to set up homeless outreach partnerships and the outcome was awaited.  It was also noted that a bid from the £63m cold weather fund had been successful and crash beds had been provided in Discovery House for 3-4 nights before moving people on to other accommodation.

It was confirmed that London Boroughs were required to inform the relevant Local Authorities where they housed residents in their area but they were not doing this.  These concerns had been raised with the Local Government Association and a protocol was being worked on as a way forward which would require all Local Authorities signing up it to make it work.  It was noted that people who were rough sleeping in Bradford tended to be from the area and that Bradford did not attract more rough sleepers than neighbouring cities.

A member asked how many choices of accommodation had to be given to a family presenting as homeless and it was confirmed that by law they had to be given one choice, however the service was very flexible and wanted them to be successfully rehoused.  If one offer was refused there was a legal requirement to ask them to vacate the temporary accommodation.

Members discussed the appropriateness of the location of accommodation offered to families and the suitability of the accommodation.  They were advised that housing officers would make an assessment taking into account the age of the children and the schools that they attended.  If they refused accommodation they had the right of appeal and the appeal was looked at by an officer that had not considered the original application.  Applicants would be encouraged to accept the offer then appeal so that they were not without accommodation.  A member was concerned that children may have to travel long distances to school,  if no places were available in their area and asked whether checks were made as to whether school places were available.   In response it was noted that individual circumstances were looked into and that people often received more than one offer of accommodation.  Officers endeavoured to look into the individual cases identified to them by members.

It was agreed that officers look into the issue of school placements for children who had been made homeless and advise members.

A member referred to cases where people were moving into substandard accommodation.  An assurance was given that accommodation was inspected by housing standards officers and that people would not be offered substandard accommodation.

A member raised the issue of the proximity and availability of services such as doctors and dentists when offering accommodation to homeless people.  In response it was noted that there were 16,000 people on the housing waiting list and that people were urged to move into accommodation if it was deemed suitable.

Resolved –

(1)          That the information provided on key homelessness and rough sleeping issues, challenges and responses across the District be noted and that officers be thanked for attending the meeting and listening to the issues raised by members.

(2)          That the Committee receive a report from the Housing Standards Team and the Rouge Landlords Scheme in the next 6 months.

(3)          That the Committee recognises the pressures coming from the private rented sector on homelessness across the district.

ACTION: Strategic Director Place