Agenda item

To scrutinise the programme that the Learning Disabilities Service has put in place to ensure a sufficient provision of suitable housing across Gwynedd for Adults with Learning Disabilities, now and in the future.  

To accept and note the report as well as stating support for the content of the Learning Disabilities Service programme and next steps to ensure sufficient provision of suitable housing in the community for individuals with Learning Disabilities and to consider the challenges.

Submitted - the report of the Cabinet Member who confirmed that the aim of the Service was to assist individuals with learning disabilities to live as independently as possible. It was explained that research had been undertaken which had anticipated additional demand for housing and support during the coming years. It was confirmed there was a comprehensive work programme in place which included a lot of joint working to deal with the numbers needing support.

the Senior Learning Disabilities Manager referred to the housing crisis and the challenges this posed for individuals who wished to live independently.  It was explained that Covid had highlighted the need for housing provision and that the Department was looking to put steps in place to address the need. Reference was made to the system for prioritising the needs of individuals emphasising that the situation was always changing.

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions, and the responses were noted as follows:

There was reference to the prioritisation system which existed across the County identifying priorities as

 'Red' - homeless or needing a house immediately, certainly in the next two years 

'Amber' - living with parents/carers, or in a house, and needing a suitable house in the medium term, the next 3-5 years

'Green' - need to prepare for the time when a house will be needed in the long-term (5+ years).

It was confirmed there was good collaboration between the Council and Housing Associations, especially Adra and Cynefin, although Gwynedd was prepared to go it alone, such as the house buying schemes that were already in the pipeline.

It was explained that further work was needed to look at the extent to which anticipating an individual's needs was considered in terms of housing options, to band individuals more fairly.  It was further reported that some tracking work was being done, from 15 to 16 years old only noting the need to carry out further work with a younger age range. 

In terms of the concern about the lack of bungalows in the context of the Social Grant of £9 million, it was noted that discussions had commenced, but needed developing further.

A comment was accepted that the report did not include a target date against the action steps and it was agreed that a timetable would be established.

In response to the above-mentioned points, the Head of Service reported there was a good relationship with the Housing Associations and that their input in the Strategy reflected the demand in the needs assessment. 

To close, the Cabinet Member confirmed that there was good collaboration with others but that the needs of every individual was different and that the desire and the willingness was there to do what was needed.   He noted the intention to turn this into an Action Plan and thanked the committee for its support in moving to the next steps.

RESOLVED: To accept and note the content of the report as well as stating support to include a programme and the next steps for the Learning Disabilities Service to ensure enough provision of suitable housing in the community for individuals with Learning Disabilities and to consider the challenges.